When signing players there is more than just talent to consider. Club scouts will always try and do as much as possible to work out the character of a player too, to ensure they will fit well in the group of players already at the club.
Ryan Fraser is the latest player linked with a move to Leeds United as they look to strengthen their squad for the new season now they have new head coach Daniel Farke in place. Leeds and Southampton are said to be interested in the Newcastle United winger, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.
Fraser is expected to leave the Magpies this summer having been outcast to the under-21 squad by Eddie Howe last season. The arrival of Anthony Gordon in January pushed Fraser further down the pecking order at St James' Park, and having only made eight appearances that season, the frustrated 29-year-old was desperate to depart.
But when a move did not materialise, Howe sent him to train with the second string, noting he only wanted to work with players who were committed to the cause. And while that might have been cause for concern on his character, the flipside of that is his strong desire to play games, while his attitude when training with the under-21s appeared to show his professionalism.
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Asked about Fraser in March, Newcastle's under-21 boss Ben Dawson said: It's nothing different to what's probably happened year upon year. The manager has given the reasons why Ryan is here.
"Ryan has been with us and he's trained, he's been great around the young lads and he's done things properly. Whether he's involved or not, I don't know yet. It'll just be a case of probably playing it day by day, week by week, and as we approach the games, we'll assess that when we get a bit closer."
Fraser did end up playing one game in Premier League 2 for the Young Magpies, with an injury limiting any other chances. He registered a goal and an assist in the game he did play, however, helping the U21s to a 4-3 win over Norwich U21s.
Overall, Fraser has played 173 Premier League games and also 76 Championship games. He made 21 appearances in 2014-15 when Howe's Bournemouth won the Championship title.
