Potential obstacle to Southampton, Newcastle United summer deal: View | OneFootball

Southampton have richly benefitted from having Ryan Fraser at their disposal this term.

Joining on loan from Newcastle United, the winger has been an integral part of Russell Martin's first-team plans, not always starting but managing to get plenty of game time under his belt.

It's a shame that his knee injury against Millwall has kept him out recently but even with this setback, he has arguably done enough to put himself in the shop window and earn a move elsewhere during the summer transfer window.

The winger looks set to return well before the end of the season anyway - and even with David Brooks arriving on loan in January - he should have opportunities between his return and the end of the campaign to continue impressing.

Ryan Fraser's Newcastle United situation

Newcastle are keen to get some players off their wage bill, which is understandable considering they will want to offload those who aren't going to play a part and make room on the wage bill for summer additions.

Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick and Jamal Lewis are all on this list, with Hendrick the easiest to offload considering his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Fraser is also on this list and the Magpies are keen to sell him after he fell out with manager Eddie Howe.

However, the Scotland international still has a year left on his deal at St James' Park and that means Newcastle will need to find a buyer for the player during the summer window.

His next destination could be St Mary's, with Fraser reportedly keen to link up with Russell Martin's side on a permanent basis.

The Saints have been impressed with the 30-year-old - according to Chronicle Live - and this isn't a surprise considering how much of an impact he has made in front of goal this term.

Key barrier could prevent Southampton permanent deal for Ryan Fraser

Chronicle Live have also reported that the winger is currently on around £70,000-per-week at St James' Park.

Out of the four players listed above, Fraser is probably the most justified in asking for a similar wage.

Hendrick hasn't shone in the Championship recently, Hayden's career has stalled and Lewis has had a number of injury issues.

But a £70,000-per-week wage is a very high amount and it's surely one the Saints can't afford.

If they stay in the Championship and Fraser is demanding a similar wage, they can forget about recruiting the 30-year-old.

Promotion certainly isn't guaranteed with the south-coast side in fourth place and even if they do go up, forking out on a £70,000-per-week wage when they would have plenty of other players to sign just doesn't seem viable, especially with the club also needing to agree a fee with Newcastle.

Even if a deal between the two clubs is agreed and Fraser is willing to negotiate a lower salary for himself, it may take quite a lot of negotiating between the current promotion contenders and the player's camp to reach an agreement.

In the meantime, another club could have swooped in to sign the 30-year-old. So even with the player wanting to join the Saints, a deal certainly isn't guaranteed and his high wages could prove to be an issue.