In the end, the January transfer window proved to be a quiet one for AFC Bournemouth. With the exception of some youngsters moving away from the south coast on temporary loan moves, there was no movement either in or out of Dean Court.
Nathan Ake was linked with a move to Chelsea, Ryan Fraser was linked with a possible move to West Ham United, Jack Simpson was a potential target for several Championship clubs and finally, Joshua King was linked with a transfer deadline day move to Manchester United.
Oh and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic made a loan move to Italy with AC Milan, although admittedly he is easily forgotten.
But the biggest story was Joshua King’s potential return to Old Trafford
The reports in the media suggest that a £20million offer was made for King, who has 18 months remaining on his contract with the Cherries.
That initial bid was rejected, AFC Bournemouth expected a second bid in the region of £30million, but it never came, instead Manchester United made a move for Odion Ighalo on loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.
That last-minute rejection from his former club reportedly left King devasted, but AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe insists that the striker, who is close to returning following a hamstring injury, is in a good frame of mind to come back as strong as ever.
He told the Daily Echo…
“…He is desperate to come back from injury and show everybody how good he is.
“He is very keen to play for the club, for the shirt, there is no issues with him at all.
“It was a difficult few days for him. I’m not going to deny that, but I think he is in a good place now to return and fight for us…”
“…Out of this event, Joshua is in a good place to return and show everybody that he is the striker that deserves to be bid by Manchester United and living up to that…”
Your say…
Garbo wrote…
…fair to say that IF we survive this season then the summer may well see a few players exiting? To be honest, after five terms of The Premier League and the mix of players that we have in our squad with some remnants from our promotion team coming to the twilight of their top-flight careers, Eddie Howe will be faced with some crucial decisions resulting in some turmoil and although the young prospects that we have in Aaron Ramsdale, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham, Lloyd Kelly, Arnaut Danjuma, Sam Surridge, Alex Dobre, Gavin Kilkenny, Jack Simpson and even Dominic Solanke could be the cornerstone alongside the established sorts like Adam Smith, Steve Cook, Nathan Ake, Diego Rico, Callum Wilson, David Brooks, Philip Billing and Jefferson Lerma. (although I think Nathan may be tempted away?)
Joshua King, Andrew Surman, Ryan Fraser, Dan Gosling, Lewis Cook, Charlie Daniels, Artur Boruc, Asmir Begovic, Junior Stanislas, Jordon Ibe and Simon Francis may well move on because they wish to go, want regular first-team action, or Eddie feels that they can’t offer much more for the longer term.
Interesting that in the past we worried about our stars being ‘stolen’ on the cheap…now we fret over the rumours of big clubs hinting about pinching our players, and the impact that this has turning their heads and affecting their form and commitment.
Ironically, if the unthinkable happens and we drop down then everything will probably be easier to deal with for the club in terms of players movement and retention. – Join the conversation, click here.
