According to The Times, Newcastle are closing in on the signing of Ryan Fraser on a free transfer.

What's the word?

The Scotland international left Bournemouth earlier in the summer following the expiration of his contract, and has been linked with a whole host of clubs.

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But The Times now claim that it's the Magpies who are set to win the race for his services, with the winger holding talks with the Tyneside club about potentially staying in the Premier League for next season.

Mike Ashley's perfect signing

As a free transfer, this has all the hallmarks of being Mike Ashley's perfect signing.

The Newcastle owner has had to watch the Saudi consortium's proposed takeover plans fall through, and just when he thought he would no longer have to worry about spending money at St James' Park, it all went south.

In Fraser, Ashley won't have to splash out a ridiculous amount to bring someone in, instead just having to concern himself with drawing up a contract.

Hailed as a "natural talent" by his former boss at Bournemouth, Eddie Howe, Fraser has got a lot of similarities with ex-Newcastle hero, Nolberto Solano.

The two were both predominantly wingers, but were able to play more infield, and just like the Peruvian, Fraser has got both an eye for a goal and assist. Back in his stellar 2018/2019 campaign, the Scot racked up eight goals and an impressive 15 assists across all competitions - Solano's best season on Tyneside saw him net 12 times and set up eight others (2001/2002).

Landing Fraser would be a sizeable coup for the Magpies.