RYAN FRASER has been branded “deplorable and disrespectful” for refusing to sign a short-term deal at struggling Bournemouth.
The relegation-threatened Cherries have confirmed their winger snubbed fresh terms to complete the final nine games of the season.
Eddie Howe will not be able to call on Ryan Fraser for the crucial final matchesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fraser, who joined from Aberdeen for £400,000 in 2013, had been running down his contract but there was hope the 26-year-old would commit to finishing the current term with his side knee-deep in a drop-zone dogfight.
But he rejected that possibility so as not to risk a lucrative contract elsewhere amid links to Tottenham and Arsenal — a decision which has left fans raging.
Season-ticket holder Adam Woodland, 28, told SunSport: “It’s disgraceful for a player to refuse a short-term contract at a club that made him the player he is now. I find it really disrespectful to the players, manager and us fans.
“I can’t blame him for wanting to see if he can make it at a higher level. But the lack of professionalism this season from him has been disappointing, especially considering how long he’s been at the club.
“No one can be blamed for ambition but the lack of loyalty to the club and his team-mates is deplorable. Nine games, that’s all!”
The Cherries revealed Fraser’s rejection in a statement, which also confirmed out-of-contract quartet Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels, Artur Boruc and Andrew Surman all penned deals to finish the season.
And the South Coast side’s statement included just a single line on Fraser which read: “Winger Ryan Fraser has declined to sign a short-term contract extension.”
It is a sad end to Fraser’s Bournemouth spell — which has seen him score 24 goals in 208 appearances under Eddie Howe’s guidance.
Last season was his standout campaign as he notched up seven goals and FOURTEEN assists in the Premier League. That led to interest from elsewhere, and at one point ALL of the top six were monitoring his progress.
Fraser rejected the chance to sign a new deal at the time and his form this term notably dropped off.
He admitted in January speculation over his future meant he had “not played for the team” in the first half of the season and apologised to his team-mates.
Fraser is still eligible for Saturday’s home game against Crystal Palace and Wednesday’s trip to Wolves — before his contract expires on June 30.
But he has risked pariah status among fans with the Cherries in the relegation zone on goal difference.
Woodland, from Dorset, added: “He could have scored the goal to keep us up. Now if we go down, he’s got to think, ‘Could I have helped them?’”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
