Southampton are interested in bringing Ryan Fraser back to the club on a permanent basis this summer but face competition from Watford and a number of other Championship clubs, according to the latest reports.

Having secured promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking following a 1-0 win at Wembley Stadium over Leeds United a fortnight ago, the Saints are now looking to bolster their first-team squad ahead of a gruelling fight for survival in the top-flight next season.

The club on the south coast have already secured the services of defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis after the 1-0 win in the play-off final triggered the obligation clause in the centre-half’s loan deal which is said to be worth £20 million. Manchester City agreed to send him to the St. Mary’s Stadium with the stipulation that Southampton sign him permanently should they win promotion.

Another promotion hero whom the club are hoping to keep hold of is Fraser. The Scotland international made 44 appearances this season under Russell Martin, bagging eight goals and recording three assists in the process, having played on both the left and right side of the attack at times. The 30-year-old even featured in all three play-off matches against West Bromwich Albion and Leeds, earning promotion for the second time in his career after he helped Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth to the Premier League in 2015.

However, TeamTalk released a report on Friday claiming that Southampton face competition for the winger as Watford and a host of other unnamed clubs in the second tier have now joined the race for his signature.