Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has said that he understands why Ryan Fraser has rejected a short-term contract extension at Bournemouth until the end of the season and believes that the winger has a big move lined up this summer.
Fraser has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur with reports indicating that the Lilywhites are favourites to land the 26-year-old this summer, despite interest from their North London rivals, Arsenal (Mirror).
It was confirmed last week that the Scotland international, whose contract with the Cherries runs out at the end of this month, refused to commit himself to Eddie Howe’s side until the end of the campaign.
The winger could potentially be free to sign for another club at the end of the month.
While Phillips admitted that he could understand why Fraser turned the extension down given the unusual circumstances, he still would have prefered him to see out the season at the Vitality Stadium.
Speaking to Football Insider, the pundit said: “Eddie Howe will understand but he is trying to keep Bournemouth in the Premier League and you need your best players to do that.
“I am sure the thoughts of Eddie will be similar to the thoughts of Lee Bowyer regarding Lyle Taylor – they started the season, so you finish the season.
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“But no one saw this coming, what happened [with the pandemic], of course, so I understand it from the players point of view.
“Ryan Fraser is not young. He has a big move to a big club and he does not want to get injured. I understand.
“I would like to see these players see the season out with the clubs that they are at.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I do not think that Fraser’s refusal to sign an extension with Bournemouth is a sign that he is unprofessional. The winger came really close to a move away from the club last summer, and we do not know what transpired between him and Bournemouth when they blocked the transfer.
One thing that I am pretty certain about is that Fraser and his agent already have a big move lined up this summer. If that was not the case, I believe the winger would have likely signed an extension to see out the season with the Cherries.
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