Arsenal are leading the race to sign Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser, according to a report from Football London, but is he good enough to truly improve Unai Emery’s options?
The Scottish attacker is held in high esteem at the Vitality Stadium, but it seems he will be heading away from the club after contract negotiations were shelved.
Fraser’s current deal with the Cherries expires in the summer of 2020, and the club are reported to have failed to offer him new terms that reflect his role for the team this season.
The Scotland international has been one of the most productive players in the Premier League this term. He has found the back of the net on seven occasions and has amassed 12 assists, the joint-highest total in the division alongside Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
Fraser has earned plaudits for his effervescent displays down the wing for Bournemouth, but whether or not he’d genuinely add more quality to the ranks at the Emirates Stadium is questionable.
Arsenal will be looking to develop consistency under Emery, and this means finishing in the top four with regularity. Therefore, additions of considerable ability will be necessary this summer.
The 25-year-old is in the pomp of his career and is playing his best football to date, but it is difficult to see just how he’d slot into the starting line-up ahead of the Gunners’ current creative options.
Emery would certainly benefit from having another winger at his disposal for his second campaign in North London, but it is likely that a player of Champions League quality would be the minimum expectation.
Fraser could be best suited to remaining at Bournemouth for another year at least as he continues to establish himself as a productive Premier League winger.
Arsenal are not necessarily too good for the Scotsman, but if European aspirations remain high up on the club’s list of priorities, they must do better.
