Scott Fraser’s future with Charlton Athletic remains uncertain, with Hearts manager Steven Naismith stating that the Addicks will make the final decision.
Fraser, a Charlton Athletic midfielder, dropped down the pecking order at The Valley during the first half of the season, therefore he moved out on loan in the January transfer window.
Hearts of the Scottish Premiership moved to sign him, but things haven’t gone smoothly at Tynecastle. The 29-year-old has two assists in 11 games, but with a calf problem that persists, starts are not certain.
Nonetheless, Fraser has expressed a desire to stay north of the border with Hearts, stating that he will remain professional if he returns to South London.
Now, Hearts manager Steven Naismith has commented on his future.
Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News about potentially keeping Charlton Athletic loanee and Wolves prospect Dexter Lembikisa, who spent the first half of the season at Rotherham United, Naismith revealed they’ve had talks, but the final decision would be made by the parent clubs.
He said:
“But a lot of it comes down to the parent clubs, who will provide a pathway for each youngster.
You must determine whether they are the right player to return and, more importantly, whether a deal can be reached. “They are two players who I think have settled in really well.”
A future at Charlton Athletic?
Fraser had slid out of The Valley’s starting XI before his January loan move, but club changes may have an impact on what the summer holds for him.
If he returns to Charlton Athletic, boss Nathan Jones may want to take a look at him. He’d already moved up to Hearts by the time the Welshman arrived.
The Addicks’ busy summer
In his first summer transfer window as Charlton Athletic manager, Jones will aim to develop his squad to his liking.
He’ll see a number of players go at the end of their contracts, including crucial players like George Dobson and Terell Thomas, who was a fixture in the team throughout the second part of the season.
Exits will make way for new additions as Jones seeks to assemble a squad capable of moving back up the table. Fraser may also be on his way out, and with a year remaining on his contract, a move would incur a charge.
That could imply that Charlton is interested in collecting a sum for an out-of-favour player in order to increase their recruitment budget.