EDDIE Howe remained confident Ryan Fraser would be at Cherries after the transfer window slammed shut – but admitted there had been “no developments” on a new contract for the winger.

The Scotland international, who registered seven goals and 14 assists in the top flight last season, sees his current deal expire at the end of June 2020.

Fraser has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.

But manager Howe expects the 25-year-old to be part of his squad following the deadline on Thursday, August 8 (5pm).

Asked whether there had been any developments on Fraser possibly signing a new contact, Howe said: “No developments in terms of that situation.

“It goes in line with what I said earlier – we are very keen to keep our best players.”

Fraser was snapped up by Cherries from Aberdeen for £400,000 in January 2013 – when the club was in League One.

He has since gone on to make 176 appearances for the Dorset side, scoring 23 times and providing 29 assists.

Quizzed on whether he was confident Fraser would be with his squad following the deadline, Howe said: “Yeah, I am confident that we can keep the squad together and keep adding players the other way to make us improve.”

On the speculation surrounding the winger, he added: “I think it’s part and parcel of being a footballer at this level.

“Especially if you’re excelling and doing well, you’re going to have people talk about you, write about you and speculate.

“I would urge any player in that situation to ignore the talk and just play football and do what you do best. I think Ryan’s done that very well.”