Newcastle United are reportedly open to parting ways with Ryan Fraser during the January transfer window.
After a productive seven-year spell with Bournemouth between 2013 and 2020, Fraser made the decision to depart on a free transfer at the end of his contract.
A switch to Newcastle was his choice of new club, who at the time had different owners and were bidding to establish themselves as a mid-table club in the Premier League.
However, the landscape at St James' Park and for Fraser has now changed, even with Fraser's former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe now in charge of the Magpies.
In total, the 28-year-old has made a total of 35 starts and 24 substitute outings for the North-East giants since his arrival, contributing three goals and six assists.
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Nevertheless, at a time that Newcastle are now challenging for Champions League qualification, the Scotland international has been restricted to just 311 minutes of Premier League football this campaign.
With Newcastle looking to further strengthen in January, The Telegraph suggests that Fraser could be allowed to leave at the turn of the year.
Despite Fraser playing some part in eight of Newcastle's 15 top-flight fixtures in 2022-23, it is claimed that club officials and Howe may be in favour of freeing up space on the wage bill to accommodate other additions.
Although Fraser has a contract until 2025, the playmaker is allegedly open to a departure in a bid to earn regular first-team football elsewhere.
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Southampton, who recently appointed Nathan Jones as their new boss, and Brentford have each been credited with an interest ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Last month, a report emerged that a number of unnamed Championship clubs were also monitoring the situation, any interest from the second tier likely to be in the form of a loan arrangement.
Much will depend on what Newcastle deem to be an attractive offer with the club having not been required to pay a transfer fee for Fraser two years ago.
Howe will also want an alternative in place in a bid to ensure that Newcastle have alternative options in a bid to manage injuries and the fixture schedule.
As well as competing for a top-four spot in the Premier League, Newcastle are in the last 16 of the EFL Cup and are due to play their FA Cup third-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday on January 7.
Darren Plant
