Fraser eyes Goodison move after turning down Cherries deal

I like his direct attacking actually. He'd be an upgrade on Walcott but surely not a player at a standard we're looking for right now.

Paul, I'm an upgrade on Walcott. He thinks he's better than he is. He's publically touted himself round and can't get a taker.

We sign him on a free... on 5 years of big, big wages (like Sandro) and he'll either, get injured, lose form, or bloat out... probably all 3.

I might be wrong but I've always seen Fraser as a left-sided player who comes inside, not a right-winger.

Yes, he's a left-winger, not what we need. He might be a good signing for someone. But we don't need another player on bloated wages who might well suffer the Everton curse.

We don't need another £100k-a-week average player on a 5-year deal.

There is a reason the top six are not fighting over him and that same reason should stop us signing him.

I think he will be a good signing, he is quick, direct and has an eye for a pass. I remember watching Bournemouth vs Liverpool, Bournemouth were 2-0 down until he came on and turned the game around, I think he got an assist and a penalty. He has also played right back a few times, cover we certainly need.

A player who should be about to start the best years of his career that adds something to the squad. Worth considering and Leicester's title winning side was built with players like him. We need to add depth, quality and range across the squad and he could well fit the profile. If we lose all the dead wood this summer, we're going to need five or even six players to reach 21/23 needed for a squad (goalkeeping cover, centre half, midfield, wide players and upfront). This means the obvious candidates going (Niasse, Bolasie, etc) plus the over 30s (Siggy) who're entering the twilight of their careers. I'm actually not advocating that we sign Fraser - just saying we shouldn't dismiss it out of hand till we know exactly what we need.

Hope there’s truth in this. He’s taken us apart on more than one occasion!

He is an honest player and he is on a free. If his wage demands are not prohibitive he could be a useful addition to the squad. With our injury record we will need one or two players like Ryan Fraser who can step in/challenge to start and keep us strong. We need a bit more physicality sometimes on the left, especially away from home where the likes of Bernard seems to get bullied out of it and Iwobi doesn't just seem to fit any formation we deploy.

So even though the prospect of signing him doesn't exactly set the heart racing it is good business on a free with a reasonable 4 year deal.
He is 26 and has his 4 peak years ahead of him and moving up a notch will have him motivated to win something. Could be a good move for both parties and could happen if the player is not too greedy.

I mentioned on another thread last night, if we can bring this guy in on a free and offload Iwobi it could fund other transfers elsewhere in the team.

The positive spin is that we at least wouldn't be forking out £26m for a mediocre player, the realistic view is that his free transfer doesn't make him any less mediocre. Unfortunately we need a step up in quality or why bother?

Andrew you are probably correct were this truthful, perhaps to fund a top class right winger.

He's not a glamour signing but he's very good. Unfortunately he occupies the same role as Bernard and Iwobi as a right footer just tucked in a bit on the left wing. Whilst he is probably more productive than both, he's not a significant upgrade either. If he was left footed and played right wing he'd be just what we're after But since he's not we'd just be stockpiling in one position again at some expense without really improving the side.

Shame. Possibly the player we should have bought last summer instead of Iwobi but ironically I think he was angling for a move to Arsenal at the time.

While I agree that a Left Winger is not a priority on our shopping list, I tend to go along with Tony Everan @8, that the price is right (free agent) and if his wage demands are not exorbitant, we could benefit.

He has always impressed me when playing for Bournemouth with his tenacity, crossing ability, speed and also able to chip in with a goal or two in the process. Plus he is British, so if Rules do change he wouldn't be surplus to requirements.

I wouldn't call him mediocre at all. The main question is can he stay injury-free?

I think he'd be a great addition to the squad. He's a creator and goal threat, similar to Bernard, but actually with a better return (sure Sam H will hit us with the Stats soon enough).

But him and Bernard as our left wing options would be great.

There are gonna be limited funds available, so anyone hoping for 30 million signings is gonna be disappointed.

Focus any funds available on right wing and central midfield.

At the age of 26 and with the Cherries and nothing achieved what are his positives ? Sorry but we don't need another ''maybe he will fit in'' type of player.

Sign him on a free and he’s already generated a £20m profit before he has kicked a ball. A no brainer and just the sort of deal we should be looking for in addition to landing the specific players we need.

He’d be a very welcome addition to the squad and would allow us to divert what money we do have to spend towards signing Gabriel and hopefully a decent centre midfielder to compliment the excellent André Gomes.

The good thing about Fraser is that he never gives up, is direct and creates a lot of chances for his team mates and if Andrew is correct he may indeed make sense. He is also a natural winger and therefore offers something different to Bernard.

However like Tom I was rather hoping this summer we concentrated on two or three top class younger players who would guarantee raising us a level.

If the rumours are true, this one is a no-brainer. A good player at a good price (free). The number of chances he created was second only to de Bruyne last season.

Although primarily a left winger, he can play on the right and though the centre as well, so he would definitely be a useful and versatile player to have in the squad.

What we need is a midfielder who can get about the pitch, and do a good defensive job. We will also need a strong quick centre back, and someone who understands the demands of the Premier League.

So Sam as extensive and well researched your list was, I would much prefer Gana Gueye and Zouma to all your options. 2 players who we have badly missed, certainly Gomes flourished more when he had Gana playing alongside.
And I always thought we always looked solid when Zouma played, I think him and Mason would be an excellent pairing. That would allow them to sell either Mina or Keane. I usually say never go back but I would make an exception in their cases, because they know the league and their teammates the change would be seamless.

He could turn out to be an absolute steal. Cant argue with his stats and thats in a poor team. Could be the provider of many chances for DCL and Richarlison, sign up the laddie !

Rumour is that Fraser is after £100k+ pw - with the deals we've been dishing out, it's little wonder that "he sees Everton as his best option"! We might have been stupid enough to pay such a salary to an average/good player in the past but surely post-Covid, only the top players will command such salaries? I don't know what Bournemouth offered him, but assuming the offer was made pre-Covid, he might well have been financially better off accepting.

Brian H- Zouma was one of my favoured options!

As for Fraser he's a very decent player. His output is much better than any of our wide players currently with an impressive 14 assists last year, though many of those were due to his strong set piece taking. He's pretty quick, passes it well and does not lose possession too often. Crucially he also brings some goals to the party too.

But he's a left winger. If there were buyers for either Bernard or Iwobi then I'd be happy enough to trade either for Fraser but that seems unlikely given the market.

He's proven in the EPL.

At £100K per week over 5 years that is a total cost of £26M.

We are looking to pay that as a transfer fee - plus wages for other players that are no better - no brainer really - provided, as has been said, that he doesn't immediately suffer the "Everton Curse" and sustain a career threatening injury in his first week of training.

Why are people dismissing Fraser as a left winger? The guy is right footed. He was a right winger who adapted to playing as a left winger. There isn’t as many left footers and some of us get shunted onto the left because we show flexibility and adaptability.

However, Fraser has played about half his games for Bournemouth on the left. The other half on the right. He can play right wing too. If we signed him, we don’t need to pigeonhole him as a left winger!

Yes to this guy. Terrific, proven player.

There's a difference between Bernard or Pienaar and Fraser.

Bernard and Pienaar are both central attacking midfielders who are slight of stature and found it difficult to operate in the middle in the Premier League where they would be up against big strong defensive midfielders and also in the most crowded area of the pitch. Pienaar played for a manager who didn't trust players of this type in the middle, see Arteta shunted to the wing as well. By putting Pienaar on the left, he was given licence to come inside and move into the positions he preferred to operate in, and use Baines to create the width. Bernard is very similar and Digne is not a million miles away from what Baines used to be.

Someone like Richarlison plays on the wing, but is not a winger, and again plays from the position by using it to move into the positions he wants to, primarily cutting inside and shooting with his right.

Fraser is not quite your typical winger, especially when on the left, where he cuts inside as he's not a decent crosser with his left. But on the right, he can whip in a decent ball and create chances. From the right, he hugs the touchline more and stretches the defence wider. The guy can definitely play well as a traditional right-winger.

I think we can sign better. I don't think he's going to improve us to make us top 4. I'd prefer Neres, Malcom, or Éverton. But in the world of FFP, coronavirus and realism, Fraser makes sense and allows us to spend money elsewhere. If we sell Schneiderlin for £2m and get his wages off the books, then Fraser makes even more sense from an accounting point of view.

Surely he is a signing we would expect with any of our past five (permanent) managers but not our expectations of Carlo.

With, it seems, our limited resources he’s not worth the punt. We desperately need a top quality proven centre mid partner for Gomes not another “maybe”.

Dave, we need a central midfielder, a right-winger and a centre-back. A right-winger on a free would allow us to spend on a proven central midfielder.

Free? Sell for profit if he doesn't work out? Isn't that exactly what people said about Aiden McGeady? No more mediocre jokers. Sign best in class or no-one.

If we could replace Walcott with Fraser I’d be happy. Probably similar wages, hopefully better output and 5 years younger.

Even if we kept Walcott, we need an extra body for the wide positions as we only have 3 recognised Senior wide players (assuming Richarlison stays up front).

In the long run I’d expect a better winger, but for now he would allow us to concentrate elsewhere.

I'm not sure on him, but have a feeling it will only happen if we move one of the big wages out first...

Over to you, Morgan.

Spot on, Kevin. We have Walcott, Bolasie (I'm afraid he's back for his final season), Bernard, Iwobi, Anthony Gordon, and Richarlison. Of them, only Bolasie is an out-and-out winger. Sure, Bernard and Gordon can't play central in the Premier League (for the moment in the case of the developing Gordon).

Richarlison should be considered a striker in a 4-4-2 or if we go to 4-3-3, then a left forward. Iwobi is more of a No 10 as well. We definitely need to improve our wide midfield options, particularly with 4-4-2 in mind (if that's Carlo's long term vision). So, unless Carlo is thinking he can revitalise Bolasie, we are very short wide. Fraser is a no-brainer for me, unless Neres, Malcom or Éverton drop significantly in price.

For those who seem to have forgotten what Fraser is capable of:

Link

Steve Ferns

Lots of cool videos on YouTube of McGeady, Bolasie, Bily, Simon Davies, AVDM, Blomqvist, Alexandersson. Would Fraser get into the matchday squad for a Champions League team? I doubt it. We need better not more of the same

Kieran, I've seen Fraser plenty of times. Particularly in the flesh, tormenting us.

I would ask which better player can we get? Factor in FFP and coronavirus finances. Factor in the need for a centre-back and a central-midfielder too.

Fraser can improve us in the long-term, even if he's a stop-gap for this season and we sign better in 12 months when Walcott and Bolasie are off the books. His versatility in playing both wings would mean he would be an option off the bench if we had top quality on the pitch.

Personally, I think Bolasie is better than Walcott. But then that's a bit like saying I prefer the smell of manure to sewage (which is also true).

If we get in Fraser then we might release Bernard and get about £15m. Possibly reunite with his old manager at Roma. That would be good business, much as like Bernard.

He's also definitely better than Alexandersson and an intoxicated AVDM.

Fraser is nowhere near good enough to take us to top four. His stats are not at all impressive:

120 appearances
16 goals (1 every 8 games)
26 assists (1 every 5 games)

Compared with the much-maligned Theo Walcott (who btw also isn't good enough to take us to the promised land):

342 appearances
74 goals (1 every 5 games)
50 assists (1 every 7 games)

I've never seen Fraser 'torment' us or anyone for that matter. A decent cameo every now and again maybe, but torment – no. £21m in wages over 4 years – no thanks.

Therefore pass on him and let West Ham, Crystal Palace or Burnley have him whilst we go for someone who can genuinely make a difference.

I'd welcome him. Inject some much needed pace in what is currently a pedestrian midfield.

Steve 37,

I'd much rather his team mate Brooks who looks like he could be a top player and versatile as plays mostly from the right but could also play anywhere along the front line. He has great timing and an eye or goal and by trading Iwobi you are talking £10-15 million in the current climate.

Maybe we can get him if Bournemouth go down. I’ve no idea how bad things will be once the dust settles on the pandemic. Everything I read, and not just from the Esk, looks horrifying. So if we can sign people on free transfers, and they are better than what we have, then we should do it. Hopefully we can then use the money we do have to fill the gaping hole at the back.

I can understand the reluctance with these types of transfers, especially after Sandro and with Bernard being our highest-paid player.

However, at least Fraser is a Premier League player and wouldn't be coming to an unknown league. I would, however, be reluctant to offer him £100k and would prefer him on less with bonuses and make him actually want to play for the club, rather than just picking up a big fat pay cheque.

Fraser isn't a winger, can score goals, better than Iwobi, but definitely not worth £100k per week, I know he let his contract run down, but hot and cold for B'mouth this season, would take Callum Wilson instead!

I agree with Robert’s (38) second paragraph, particularly if we get him to come for £4M or better yet £3M wages per year, but I wouldn’t be upset if we didn’t sign him.

We have a Director of Football appointed because of his astute business in the transfer market, like he did in Holland. Not going for the obvious tabloid suggestions which we could do. Unearth some gems, there's apparently a big world out there and the next Henry or Drogba is waiting for us! (Plus a commanding goalie!)

There's something to be said for guys like Fraser, who wouldn't be a "sexy" signing per se, but has been a thorn in our side more times than not when playing Bournemouth.

Often people seem to feel like we need a Ferrari at every position in order to compete with the top six, but if we mixed a few elite signings with guys like Fraser, I think that would be a pretty good recipe for success.

Stephen (39) - look no further than the last time we played the Cherries, earlier this season. Tied 1-1, Fraser comes off the bench and immediately scores a free kick while helping to tilt momentum firmly in Bournemouth's favor, as they go on to win 3-1. He also scored both goals, including a last-minute game-winner, in a 2-1 Bournemouth victory when Allardyce was managing us (and that's just off the top of my head).

I'd take Fraser in a second. 7 goals and 14 assists last season, which means he was involved in more than a third of their goals. Blazing pace we desperately need in our glacially slow midfield. Better crosser of the ball than anyone we currently have. Ferocious work rate (always among the league leaders in distance covered). And, as has been detailed here, he can fit into multiple positions comfortably.

Yes, he was having a stinker this season when play stopped, but hey, everybody on Bournemouth was having a stinker. That club has simply fallen apart and will likely get relegated.

I'll leave the salary considerations to better-informed people, but I disagree that he's not the type to raise us to a higher level. No, he's not a game-changing superstar, but this guy could be to us what Drinkwater was to Leicester when they won it.

Not for me, feels like a signing we'd have made in the Moyes/Smith eras.

Aaron Lennon Mk II.

Hello Bill (46),

Respect your view but in this case I can't agree with it. That goal against us would be his only goal this season - indeed I'd have it down as a Delph own goal who went for a routine clearance with his wrong foot before slicing into his own net.

A further pertinent stat in this day and age of the necessity of players contributing to the overall team ethic - he averages a successful tackle only once every 3.25 games! He clearly doesn't even work back to help his midfield and fullback. We already carry enough passengers.

I suspect (hope) its all paper talk rubbish as, if we did sign him on superstar wages, we'll have plenty of time to regret it.

Dan (48) hits the nail on the head.

Kunal (40) said it all in two short sentences. Get him in.

He's a decent player, heart and fight, and would show more guts and effort than similar position players we already have.

So would he bring a different dimension or something we don't have already?

I think he could but, for me, lessons of the recent past must be learned and we can't continue to stockpile similar players who are then shoehorned into positions that don't suit them. Only great players can play anywhere.

For me offload the players – almost a squad who won't play and yes bring Ryan in.

But the task to sell most of Everton's deadwood, is arguably one of the tasks that would stretch any manager and Director of Football.

So let's see if Carlo and Marcel can influence enough to make this a viable transfer.

In the matches I have seen him play against us, most notably at The Vitality, Fraser has impressed with his directness, pace, industry and attitude. He would add something to our 12th placed squad.

But, in the current financial climate, I question if adding another £100k weekly salary for yet another wide attacking player should be a priority? There are several other positions which require more urgent attention, including goalkeeper, central defence and central midfield.

Steve @35, the music on that video was like Fraser. Up tempo, but not very good.

I'd see him as a reasonable addition, but I'm not surprised he picks up injuries twisting and turning like that. £100k a week in this climate is a poor use of our resources even if he's on a free. Half that amount would seem more realistic.

Anyone that screws over their club, that gave them a platform to perform on, by running down their contract is a dubious acquisition in my book as well.

Does he score or assist?

From what I can see, he had a good return on 2018-19 season but, that aside, pretty average stats.

We have enough wide players who don't score in Bernard and Walcott!

I agree that £100k per week is pushing it way too far. A £10 million 4-year contract (£50k pw) seems generous to me, but probably would be palatable as he's on a free.

Having read through the posts, it appears we have some, including myself, who think this could be a decent move, and obviously some who don't. Fair enough we are all entitled to opinions.

However, what I don't get is the assumption that, should he come on a free transfer, he would automatically be on £100k/week. I doubt at Bournemouth he is currently getting a quarter of that. So why not offer an upgrade on his current package?

I remember when we signed Jonas Lössl on a free from Huddersfield, who was on something like £28k, so the powers that be deemed it prudent to more than double it to over £60k, and he has hardly even appeared for us at all.

In view of the current situation and the effect that Covid-19 has had financially, I do hope that some sense and sensibility will be applied to any future deals.

Derek - Spotrac (which I find a half decent indicator of salaries) has Lossl down as being on around £30k a week. It also has Fraser down as being on £27k a week, so I agree the £100k per week would be a ridiculous increase for him.

Then again, we have Martina on £35k a week so if he compares himself then he might think he's worth that!!!!

Karl #55, I don't agree that anyone that honours the terms of their contract is screwing over their club. Especially as he has been playing a majority of games for his club and not been sitting on his couch watching them on telly while collecting his money like some.

It's brave of him in these times to NOT sign a deal for a couple of more months and risk having no income in the future.

Tottenham are also interested in him apparently.

Kevin @59, yes Spotrac is a pretty good indicator, but a difficult one with Lossl, as it says he's been loaned out (back to Huddersfield) but not sure whether the figures are what we pay, or whether there is a split or addition from Huddersfield.

I remember reading it on here that he had more that doubled his salary as back-up to Pickford. Hopefully, if nothing else, during this Covid-19 issue, there may be more rational thinking over future salaries.

Fraser is okay, bu I would break the bank for his team mate, David Brooks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN1YR4nGMTk

Barry @63, normally on YouTube there is a danger of over emphasising a player's skillset but, with Brooks, I believe his key quality is his timing which was difficult to tell from that highlights reel. He has a bit of the dynamism of a famous gobshite who threw away a title, added to the ability to always seem to turn up on cue, like Lampard.

If we landed Brooks, I would be very excited as he's still so raw and you wouldn't know where his limit was.

With Fraser, I would also be worried about giving him a long contract with his build. I could see his best days being behind him and, without his pace and energy, I could see him being more deadwood landing on our books with no takers.

Fraser is direct. He's got real pace and an excellent work ethic, I'd be happy to have him.

Generally his final ball and decision marking is good and for me he'd be in our starting team ahead of Walcott, Bernard, Iwobi as a winger or wing-back should be we play a different formation.

Sadly for a young player he already appears to have an injury record that makes him a bit of a risk but one I think is worth taking.

To many fans being negative over wages, I get the concern but every player is a risk and the good, better players will all demand big wages so I'm not sure what else we could expect.

We need to improve the first team and have a better backup challenging the first-team players for every position. It takes time and money.

Frasier is looking for a good contract, nothing else.

Fraser is 26 years old, so how can his best days be behind him? And given he will come as a free agent he will expect and receive a good contract. Nothing wrong with that.

I watched the Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace match last night... no sign of Fraser in the line-up or amongst the subs. Anyone know why?

Hi Derek, I think he has chosen not to play as he doesn't want to get injured and then be out of contract in a few days.

For what's it's worth, I'd take him in a heartbeat, if the wages are sensible.

Hard working, plenty of assists, hopefully still motivated and chips in with a few goals as well.

Hi David, thanks for the info, I am in the same camp as yourself, he has always impressed me with his graft, never say die attitude, crossing and goal scoring abilities.

Provided his wage demands weren't ridiculous, I think we could do a lot worse, plus the advantage he has over any more foreign high profile names, is that he has proved what he can do at Premiership level.

Steve @67,

I'm not saying Fraser is too old. What I'm suggesting is that Ryan has the build of a mini Unsworth. Most wide players rely on their pace but many can reinvent more centrally like Schweinsteiger when they lose half a yard.

There are some players, like Rooney, who, due to their physique, seem to peak earlier and by 30, they are well on the wane (excuse the pun). My belief is that Fraser, who is heavily reliant on his pace and energy, would be a totally different player without it and hasn't the quality to reinvent.

Eddie Howe has said Fraser won't play for Bournemouth again. Soon to be out of contract and doesn't want an injury to scupper his move. I'd say both are being sensible about it.

McGeady Mk II - Swerve.

'Nearly' out of contract but not yet and 'Refusing to play' another reason to Swerve.

Will want massive money due to no fee.

Have we learned nothing?