Fresh claim made on Newcastle United winger after airport picture & personal terms agreement

After falling out with Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe, Fraser spent last season on loan at the Saints, making 44 appearances and scoring eight times as the South Coast outfit achieved promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Fraser, who is training away from the Magpies’ first-team, was pictured at Southampton airport on Sunday - raising hope among Southampton fans that a return was close. The 30-year-old is believed to have already agreed personal terms but crucially, an agreement between the two clubs is yet to be reached.

And with just 15 days of the summer transfer window remaining, Martin is beginning to doubt if a deal will ever materialise.

“I am not sure that will happen,” Martin said on Wednesday. “That’s down to Newcastle. He did brilliantly for us last season, and I love him as a person and a player. He was really popular with the dressing room, fans and staff, but we are nowhere near a deal for Ryan. The longer it goes on, it looks increasingly unlikely.”

Fraser signed a bumper five-year contract when he joined United on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth in 2020. He went on to make 59 appearances before falling out with Howe midway through the 2022-23 campaign. The former Scotland international was banished to the under-21s.

Reflecting on his fallout with Howe, Fraser said earlier this year: "We have helped each other. It's, obviously, a little bit awkward now after what happened.

"We're probably not on the best of terms, but I don't regret anything we have done together. He was unbelievable with me. I did well for him. I learned as a player from him. It's sad how it ended but, at the same time, it's ended now and I'll always cherish the years that we had."