Arsenal didn’t make a bid for Ryan Fraser last summer and he isn’t high on their list of transfer options this time around either, according to a report.

The Athletic claim that despite all the speculation surrounding Ryan Fraser last summer, no club made a bid for him. The player’s contract is expiring this summer, but Arsenal still don’t view him as a priority.

The report suggests Fraser isn’t high on the Gunners’ list because they don’t think he’d make a good fit in north London in the spotlight of a big-six club. They get the impression the 26-year-old better suits a team like Bournemouth.

Despite the claims that Arsenal didn’t bid last summer, it does seem like they at least held some kind of interest in the player. At the very least, they let the media believe they did while they pursued other targets.

After all, even Fraser himself seemed to believe he was close to a move. He admitted later that it distracted him and led to half-hearted individual performances for a few months afterwards.

On a free transfer, you’d think it wouldn’t be hard for Arsenal to complete a deal if they want to. Even in the current financial situation. Right now, it appears the biggest obstacle to a transfer is their own lack of interest.