Bournemouth ready to take January spending to £24million as they target Leeds star
By Tony Hughes
Bournemouth are ready to take their spending in the January window to £24million, Football Insider sources understand.
The Premier League club announced on Monday night that they have completed the £8million signing of Lewis Grabban from Norwich on Monday.
His return comes hot on the heels of the arrival of Benik Afobe in a £10million move from Wolves – taking the club’s transfer window spending to more than £19million to date.
Roma winger was Bournemouth’s first January signing and the Argentine will cost them a loan fee of £1million.
A Bournemouth source has told Football Insider that manager Eddie Howe is also hoping to add a central midfielder, with Leeds midfielder Lewis Cook in his sights.
The Championship club have claimed that they will reject all bids for the England Under-19 international this month but Howe is ready to pay £5million for a player out of contract in 18 months. As revealed by Football Insider, Leeds value Cook at the £8million mark.
Striker Grabban, who left Dean Court for Carrow Road in June 2014, rejoins Bournemouth after he agreed terms on a three-and-a-half year contract.
“I think we’ll be getting a better Lewis Grabban, but he’ll realise that we’ve got better as well and he will have to adapt too. But we’re in no doubt we’re getting a good player back,” manager Howe told his club’s official website.
“He’s also someone who was popular in the dressing room behind the scenes he’s a strong motivator and we’re delighted to be bringing him back.”