Rumoured Liverpool Target Rejects Bournemouth Extension

Over the past two years, Liverpool have occasionally been linked with a move for 26-year-old Bournemouth creative wide player Ryan Fraser. Now, the Scotland international will be available on a free—in two weeks, at the end of the month and before the season ends.

That’s because Fraser has rejected a short-term extension from his current club to see out the campaign. Bournemouth are currently level with West Ham and Watford on points, in 18th and set for relegation on goal difference, and two points ahead of Aston Villa in 19th.

Inevitably, there have been whispers Liverpool might see him as an option. Given the club’s history of salvaging players from relegation sides on the cheap, it’s not the strangest idea. And on paper at least he seems a viable replacement for Xherdan Shaqiri and Adam Lallana.

However, according to The Guardian, big club interest in Fraser has faded this season—he has a goal and four assists in 32 games after getting eight and 15 the season before. There were also concerns raised about his work rate after he failed to secure a transfer last year.

Now, instead of the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, and Liverpool, the rumours have him likely heading to a club like Crystal Palace, Newcastle, or Watford—though it’s said no formal offer has been extended by any club yet, which makes his decision not to extend more bizarre.

While on paper he might make sense as a Lallana replacement in a year Liverpool want to avoid spending big, on the evidence it’s difficult to imagine Fraser having the mentality to fight for scraps at Liverpool—mentality that Lallana has repeatedly proven he does have.