Speculation linking Celtic with a potential move for Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser has been a semi regular feature on successive transfer window rumour mills, but now that the 29 year old 26 capped Scottish international is now most definitely out of favour with current manager Eddie Howe, there could well be legs in the suggestion as Brendan Rodgers looks for a successful second spell at Parkhead.
With a fortnight or so left in the 2023/24 summer transfer window, it is again being suggested that we have contacted Newcastle United to discuss a potential move for the former Aberdeen Academy graduate. Celtic would naturally hope that having spent time at Bournemouth, Ipswich Town and then finally making a free agent transfer to St James' Park, Newcastle would be open to discussing a free transfer to simply get him off their wage list - or at worst a nominal fee transfer.
For Scottish fans who like a flutter, GGBET Official Website will undoubtedly have a variety of odds available on whether or not Fraser's transfer to Celtic will happen, and probably a plethora of other odds available on what transfers may happen across Scottish football before the transfer window slams shut.
Fraser has two years remaining on his existing contract, but in the Premier League last season following their takeover, he only made three start, with five substitute showings. His out of favour status is further proven by the fact he has been demoted to training with the Development Squad if reports are to be believed, and having formerly held the No 21 shirt, that has been handed and allocated to new signing Tino Livramento.
The biggest potential issue for Celtic here is that his weekly wage is claimed to be in the region of £42,000 and he would undoubtedly have to take some kind of pay cut to adjust to the available finances in the Scottish Premiership when compared to the English top flight - but that is not an insurmountable negotiation as plenty of players have successfully made the switch up to Scotland after time in the English game and gone on to enjoy successful ends to their playing careers, or seen their career reinvigorated and then moved on again for a new challenge.
One player who did just that a few years ago was Celtic legend John Hartson, and whilst he feels that Fraser's potential wage requirements would be an issue when it came to the club bringing him in, he also felt that the player would be flexible, knowing how Rodgers and the club would be able to offer proper regular game time once again, and not only get his name back in the headlines, but put him more back into the international fold as well.
"He is a good player and has not been played regularly of late. I am not too sure if he is in Howe's plans and they are looking at the top-end market now, Newcastle. Ryan Fraser is a talent and joining Celtic would be a very wise move as he has a lot to prove as well. Newcastle almost want to give him away and get him off the wage bill so they can move on and look to invest in another player. It's just whether or not Celtic want to take on Ryan Fraser. It was mentioned £30k a week, that is almost up there with the top earners. Ryan Fraser has been a very good player and I thought he lit the Premier League up at times when at Bournemouth."
Hartson seems to have underestimated his weekly there based on other available reports, but if Rodgers can get the winger back to his best, everyone knows what kind of asset he could be for them as they fight for the title once again and look to make an impact on other competitions.
