Leeds should begin preparing for life in the Premier League considering we have a great chance of promotion, and former player Danny Mills has already eyed a player we could add to our arsenal.
It is difficult to predict what strategy we will take in the transfer market this summer as every club and player finds themselves in a unique situation.
Ours is even more difficult due to not knowing which division we will be competing in next term, and therefore we may fall behind in a race to sign players whose contracts are expiring at the end of June.
One such example of that is Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser. The Scot has proved to be one of the Cherries’ most important players in the Premier League, making 45 goal contributions in almost four years in the top-flight.
Should Leeds try and sign Ryan Fraser?
Yes
No
His form has dipped a little this campaign with one goal and four assists, but since Liverpool and Arsenal are believed to be interested it is clear to see that he possesses ability.
Mills is aware of that, and also acknowledges the fact that he won’t be an easy addition to make given interest should arise elsewhere.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said:
“Leeds should be looking at him. Any player who Premier League experience who is available on a free transfer they should be looking at.
“He will have other options though, without a doubt.
“Fraser is a player of quality but sometimes free transfers’ wages can get a little bit out of hand. The wages could get silly and Leeds would have to make sure it wouldn’t knock everybody else out of kilter. Free transfers often seem great but it depends on what the wages are.”
Signing the Scotland international would be nothing short of a huge statement of our intentions if we brought him in, despite his poor productivity in 2019/20.
He could slot in perfectly on the left-flank too if we are unable to bring back Jack Harrison after his loan ends, and Fraser’s pace and direct style of play would add fresh impetus to our attack, with Eddie Howe once praising him as an “incredible talent”.
We can be methodical at times and use the ball well, as 60% average possession would suggest, but in the fast paced Premier League we could benefit hugely from a player of Fraser’s ilk, and it is little surprise that Mills is keen for us to sign him.
He would also give us an edge on the counter-attack, and if he can recapture his form from last season, when he scored seven and assisted 14 in the league, then we can be ambitious heading into next season.
Of course, this all depends on whether we go up, but it is certainly a signing worth making as his re-sale value alone means he’d be a great investment both on and off the pitch.