According to local media in Stoke, AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe’s responses in a recent press conference were “incredulous“.
The comments came after Howe had been asked about the Cherries reported interest in England goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Clearly not as well versed in all things Eddie Howe, as the Dean Court faithful, the local newspaper was surprised that Howe refused to discuss openly his transfer business and instead insisted that the focus remains on the upcoming games of the current Premier League campaign. A tactic Howe has always used.
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told the pre-match press conference ahead of the Southampton game (quoted by the Stoke Sentinal)…
“We haven’t formulated any plans regarding transfer targets or anyone towards next year.
“We are firmly looking at this season.
“I will have conversations with the owner and the respective people at the club at the end of the season when we will formulate our plans…”
“…Without formulating our plans it’s ridiculous to think we’re considering any positions…”
Howe may claim it’s ridiculous, but everyone else probably disagrees and with Howe’s meticulous nature well known it is hard to believe that there are not any movements behind the scenes to shape next seasons squad, particularly the goalkeeper position.
Begovic days are numbered as Howe reportedly lines up replacements
The latest report in the Daily Mail suggested that Stoke’s Jack Butland had edged ahead of Burnley’s Nick Pope in Eddie Howe’s thinking.
The tabloid newspaper also suggested that Asmir Begovic could return to his former club as part of any summer deal.
The report claimed…
Stoke have put a huge £30m price tag on Butland, 26, justifying their valuation by arguing he is more developed and experienced than fellow Three Lions goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was when he joined Everton from Sunderland for £25m in June 2017.
Bournemouth are now weighing up offering Begovic back to his old club Stoke along with a lower cash amount in a bid to tempt the Potters into a deal.
Begovic has two years remaining on his current deal at Dean Court and is reportedly “one of Bournemouth’s highest earners”.
Your say…
kirsikka wrote…
I don’t think Butland will want to go anywhere to sit on the bench and the top six all have keepers pretty much in situ. The only one that may move is De Gea but if he does, Manchester United will go big with a proven world class keeper to replace him, not take someone from the Championship.
With those doors closed you look down the table a bit. Everton have spent big on Jordan Pickford and I think he’s going to be number 1 there for a while yet. Leicester have the door destroyer (Kasper Schmeichel) very well set and I can’t see him moving on either. Burnley have more keepers than they know what to do with. Patricio at Wolves won’t be replaced. And so on.
When you remove the clubs that have settled keepers, the field of potential moves if he wants a Premier League club where he would go straight in as number one is actually quite thin.
AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace but not too sure who else. If I’m honest, I can’t see us not being in the serious running if he’s going to take the plunge to a mid-table Premier League first-team spot. – Join the conversation, click here.
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