‘Of course’ - Newcastle United winger wanted in permanent transfer after Eddie Howe fallout

Southampton boss Russell Martin is open to signing Ryan Fraser on a permanent basis following a strong start to his loan spell on the South Coast.

After falling out of favour with Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe earlier this year, the Scot jumped at the opportunity to join the Saints in the summer having spent the second half of last season training with the Mapies’ under-21s.

Fraser has so far made 11 appearances for Martin’s side and recently opened his account for the 2023-24 campaign with an injury-time winner at Hull City.

The 29-year-old has already expressed a desire to remain at St Mary’s and Martin is open to the idea, although challenged the player to maintain his good form.

“We want good players and we want good characters - Ryan definitely fits into that,” Martin told the Daily Echo.

“The fact that he feels the way he feels after a short time here is really brilliant for us as a group of players and staff to show what we are trying to build here.

“People feel like they belong and they want to be a part of it. He is really enjoying himself, his energy has been brilliant over the last few weeks.”

Martin continued: “Knowing Ryan and his capabilities, would he be someone that we want as part of the project here for longer than we have him? Of course, but he has to do enough on the pitch to put himself in a position where everyone feels the same.

“Me and him are on the same page. He’s on the same page as the coaching staff. Ryan will only get better.

“He came in trying to get fit, but he’s got through that period now. They are in a place where they understand the detail and their role in the group is solid.

“They just need to keep growing together now and it’s up to us do to that and to make sure they keep learning together. I’m really confident we can put ourselves in a really strong position.”

Fraser, who is under contract at Newcastle until 2025, has made 59 appearances since arriving as a free agent from Bournemouth in 2020.