Leeds United could hand Ryan Fraser the perfect platform to make a fresh start this summer. The Whites have been linked with a move for the Newcastle United winger who has bene ostracised by Magpies head coach Eddie Howe and is expected to leave the club this summer.
Despite being a regular starter when Howe first arrived at St. James' Park the Scotland international played just just 311 minutes of senior football last season and was made to train and play with the Under-21s. Fraser had been linked with a move away from St. James' Park in January, but a transfer wouldn't come to fruition.
Daniel Farke's side are in need of a complete rebuild following relegation from the Premier League and Fraser is among the club's reported targets. However, the 29-year-old would need to win over the Whites' faithful after a turbulent few years off the pitch.
Fraser's problems started back in the Covid hit 2020 campaign with Howe at Bournemouth. He left the Cherries in controversial manner after refusing to sign an eight-game extension to his expiring deal which saw the south coast club relegated.
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"It was never the way I wanted it to end and I'm not going to sit here and say it didn't bother me," Fraser said, baring all about his Bournemouth departure and relegation, not long after signing for Newcastle. "I was gutted.
"I'm honest and look, if this virus didn't hit I would've played every game, but I was out of contract. I know some lads signed and extension and that was up to them, but it just didn't feel, at my age and where I want to go in my career, I just didn't feel it was right for me to sign.
"I still speak to the manager now - Jason Tindall. Two or three weeks ago I saw Eddie Howe in a coffee shop there is no negativity between us, the fans had their opinion I was gutted when they went down!
"I never wanted them to go down and I wish them all the best this season, I really do, but it's a decision I had to make. I feel like it was the right decision.
"Everyone has got their opinions - respect it. It's just what's happened and I'm gutted but I've got to leave that behind me now."
Nonetheless, Howe and Fraser insisted there was no issue between the pair and they got down to work at St. James' Park. The Scotland international was a regular under the new Magpies head coach, but it was his determination to impress Howe, that saw his commitment to his country questioned.
Immediately after Howe’s arrival, Fraser pulled out of the Scotland squad for their two World Cup qualifiers citing a calf problem as the reason behind his withdrawal. However, the winger was pictured training for Newcastle during that same international break and would play in Howe’s first match in charge when the Premier League resumed.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke was less than impressed and when asked about Fraser's withdrawal, he said: “The best way to answer that one is to say I have a squad of players who want to be here.”
The Newcastle winger would apologise to Clarke and was recalled while impressing for the Toon. However, despite playing such a big part in helping Howe and co stave off relegation, Fraser was rarely used last season.
His last outing for the Toon came against Everton in October 2022, but he was still part of the first-team set-up and Travelled to Saudi Arabia in December for the winter break - playing the final 29 minutes of a 5-0 pre-season win over Al Hilal.
“He’s a valued member of the squad,” Howe said when asked about Fraser in early January 2023, claiming the winger was fit and available for selection. “I know him better than anybody, I know what he’s capable of, so I’d love to see him back in a Newcastle shirt.”
However, two months later, Howe's stance had changed all together. Fraser had been demoted to the under-21s and had been linked with a move away from the club by the end of the January transfer window.
Howe told Chronicle Live in March 2023: "I made the decision to concentrate on the players that are committed to Newcastle and for the benefit of the group I made that call."
Howe was also asked if Fraser could redeem himself and return to the first-team, but the Newcastle boss said: "I think it's a difficult one for me to answer. Because I've never put a firm decision on that because life can change quickly. At the moment he doesn't."
