Bournemouth are ‘serious’ option in race to sign Caleb Yirenkyi
Bournemouth’s impressive rise up the Premier League table is making the club an attractive proposition for young players.
That is according to ex-Aston Villa, Everton and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid Bournemouth’ pursuit of 19-year-old midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi.
Bournemouth’s 3-2 defeat at Sunderland was a setback for the Cherries, but they remain 11th in the Premier League table.
Andoni Iraola has done an excellent job at Bournemouth and has been linked to many managerial vacancies for his work at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth an ‘attractive option’ for upcoming talent
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks young players coming to the Premier League should consider moving to Bournemouth over the top six clubs.
Bournemouth are one of a number of clubs closely monitoring Yirenkyi, who currently plays for Danish side Nordsjaelland.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insists that young talent would still be able to get their big move in the future fi they were to join the Cherries first.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think there’s a bit of that, but I still think the younger players will see Bournemouth as a very good route to get exposure. It’s going to be not only a great shop window, but it’s a very exciting club and a very exciting manager.
“So I think they’re a very good option still. And I think the smart players and the smart agents will understand that and they’ll get more minutes with Bournemouth and more exposure than they would do at some of the bigger clubs.
“So I think they’ll look at Bournemouth as potentially a two or three-season situation. Of course, there’ll always be a lure for the bigger clubs at some stage, but nevertheless, Bournemouth is becoming a serious option.
“There’s new stadium plans, the new training ground, et cetera. Bill Foley sort of seems to have done a decent job, and he’s a good owner. So look, I think Bournemouth is an attractive option. And for players like this, I think he’s well advised to go to Bournemouth rather than anything bigger.”
Andoni Iraola in contract talks
Iraola’s contract at Bournemouth expires at the end of the season, and the club are keen to tie the Spaniard down for the future.
Bournemouth though don’t fear Iraola leaving the club, but his departure would be a huge loss given the job he has done.
Iraola was appointed as Bournemouth manager in 2023, and has led the club to 12th and 9th placed finishes in the Premier League.