SPORT: Could Eddie Howe be looking at these possible transfer targets?

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Following Sunday’s 3-0 drubbing at home by fellow strugglers Watford, AFC Bournemouth now find themselves firmly in the battle for premiership survival.

Manager Eddie Howe’s options have been limited over recent months with several injuries contributing to the latest run of poor results. With the January transfer window now open could the Bournemouth Gaffa be lining up some reinforcements?

The immediate need for the cherries seems to be in defence with the team having conceded 32 goals in the premier league already, but the Cherries could be looking for more options up front with Callum Wilson and new signing Dominic Solanke struggling to find the net.

Eddie Howe has already mentioned this month, that if he were to bring in transfers, they would likely only be on loan, with Cherries funds depleted following the summer transfer splurge.

With Bournemouth aiming to haul themselves out of he relegation zone, more drastic changes might be needed, such as permanent transfers but Bournemouth’s owners will have to be convinced before parting with more of their cash, so proven premier league talent would probably need to be considered.

BH Living has looked at some of the possible options open to Howe in this window – could any of these fit the bill for the Cherries and help them retain Premier League football at the Vitality for next season.

Left Back

The left back position is a prime weakness for the club, with key man Charlie Daniels injured and the inconsistent Diego Rico having no natural challenger to his position.

Luke Shaw

24-year-old Luke Shaw might be what Bournemouth are looking for if they’re willing to spend.

Valued between £19 million – £27 million, the Manchester United players contract expires in 2023, so the offer made must be tempting to get the club thinking.

After the recent 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, the player isn’t exactly in the United fan’s good books with him being slated as the main reason behind their defeat.

Shaw joined Manchester United from Southampton in 2014 but is still relatively young, yet could bring in some much needed Premier League experience. The price tag is likely to put The Cherries off however unless a ‘temporary to permanent’ deal could be done.

 

Right Back

Martin Kelly

Adam Smith’s recent injury had been a blow to the Cherries as they’ve been forced to use 34-year-old Simon Francis. Although Smith did return at the weekend, his only challenger for the right back position is the aging Francis

Martin Kelly has played a large role in Crystal Palace conceding 10 less goals than Bournemouth in the premier league and also has the ability to get forward and cause problems for opposition defences.

With a year left on his contract, valued between £3 million – £4 million,  Kelly is another ‘cheap’ solution.

 

 

Nathaniel Clyne

After returning to Liverpool from his loan at Bournemouth, he’s yet to make it into the first team.

His main issue is a cruciate ligament rupture holding him back, which he expects to recover from later this month.

Outside of the injury, the challenge of competing with Trent Alexander Arnold will be a struggle while Liverpool are in form.

If Bournemouth were to sign Clyne permanently, for approximately £9 million, this could be a much needed solution to their defensive woes, but would Liverpool consider another loan period until the end of the season?

Centre midfielder

John Lundstram

With the talented Sheffield United midfielder Lundstram’s contract expiring on June 30 of this year, he could be a good target for Bournemouth to keep their eyes on if they’re looking to save some money.

Scoring 5 goals and acquiring 2 assists in 20 games this season, the 25-year-old central midfielder could be what it takes to strengthen the midfield.

The Englishman is currently valued £5.4 million on the transfer market so could be a cost effective purchase.

 

Ross Barkley

A loan move for Ross Barley might be the perfect chance to prove to Frank Lampard that he deserves a slot in the Chelsea lineup.

With Chelsea in a run of good form, that chance seems miles away currently for the midfielder.

Barkley, marketed at £24 million, has only appeared in 6 of the last 21 games in the Premier League.

 

 

Right Midfield

Matt Ritchie

Since leaving Bournemouth on 1 July 2016, Ritchie has grown as a player at Newcastle, scoring 12 goals in his first season in the championship.

Unfortunately for Richie, he’s been unable to make a real impact at the club this season, suffering an ankle injury three games into the season but is expected to return in January.

Most Bournemouth fans wouldn’t disagree with the prospect of re-signing the 30-year-old on loan while the injured David Brooks is given time to recover.

Ritchie would cost the club approximately £10 million.

 

 

 

Attack

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud

Giroud is currently out of favour with Lampard and has been warming the bench at Chelsea since October, playing second fiddle to the inform Tammy Abraham.

Giroud will be keen to get some playing time in prior to the Euro 2020 championships to impress France national coach Didier Deschamps and remind him of his goal scoring prowess.

Giroud could provide much needed premier league experience and  his arrival could perhaps galvanise the team bringing in some much needed confidence.

The 32 year old is approaching the end of his contract at Chelsea but is on record as saying he wants an extra year but could his Premier league swansong be at The Vitality Stadium.

He’s valued at around £8million but will be a free agent in the summer so could the Cherries take him on loan until the end of the season and then sign him for free in the summer if they retain their Premier League status?

 

Eddie Nketiah

 

Nketiah is young, energetic and gifted but yet to craft out a place at Arsenal. He’s a product of the Chelsea youth set-up and transferred to Arsenal in July 2015.

Since then he’s worked his way through the Arsenal U21 & U23 system and spent last season on loan to Leeds Utd.

New Arsenal boss Arteta is said to be an admirer of Nketiah and may even feature him whilst Aubameyang serves his 2 match suspension but he is set to go out on loan again for the remainder of the season, with Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest both said to be interested. Could Bournemouth hijack their plans and sign a loan deal for this young starlet?

What do you think? Are there any players you’d like to see come into the Dean Court fold? Let us know below.

 

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