Kelleher signs, Huijsen and Kerkez gone: Bournemouth predicted XI for 25/26 start
Bournemouth have enjoyed one of their best seasons ever but bigger clubs are looking to poach star players Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo likely leading to a summer of upheaval.
Following their blistering mid-season form, the Cherries were harbouring hopes of Champions League football, but a hiccup in recent results have tempered expectations.
Bournemouth sit 10th in the Premier League, but with five spots for UEFA’s premier competition on offer this season, the four-point gap to Man City is hardly insurmountable.
However, what would be a death blow for the hopes of repeated success would be the exit of Andoni Iraola, with the club “working overtime” to keep the Spaniard from joining Tottenham, Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively.
Even if the Cherries do manage to keep their current boss, Milos Kerkez looks destined for Liverpool to replace an ageing Andy Robertson, whilst Brown told Football Insider exclusively Dean Huijsen’s £55million release clause would make him the perfect partner to Virgil van Dijk for the Reds.
As if losing half of their backline wasn’t bad enough, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan deal is set to expire, and Antoine Semenyo has serious interest from Newcastle.
Fortunately for the Cherries, they know their recruitment department are more than capable, plus European football could give a massive boost to both the finances and the allure of playing at the Vitality Stadium.
With a busy summer ahead, here’s how Football Insider predicts Bournemouth will line up for their first match of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Maxim De Cuyper replaces Milos Kerkez while Igor Paixao joins from Feyenoord
Caoimhin Kelleher
The Irishman looks set to leave Anfield this season, having proven himself a capable understudy in Alisson’s absence and clearly in need of a starting job. Bournemouth have leapt ahead of Chelsea and Tottenham in the race for Kelleher according to talkSPORT, and he would be a fantastic shot-stopper for the South Coast side. Arrizabalaga has endeared himself to fans whilst on loan from the Blues, but when push comes to shove, Kelleher is a safer pair of hands.
Adam Smith
The 33-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, in fact, he might actually be speeding up. This season has been one of Smith’s finest, having been with the club for 11 years now, making 320 league appearances. Bournemouth have tried to replace Smith multiple times now, with Julian Araujo being the latest to fail to displace the Englishman, but each time the former Tottenham man rises to the occasion, proving himself to be Iraola’s best option at right-back.
Illia Zabarnyi
Man City were interested in Zabarnyi in January, Football Insider revealed, but chose to move for Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis instead. Their mistake. The Ukrainian has been a powerhouse this season and were it not for the potential of Huijsen, Zabarnyi would likely have more suitors. Finding a partner able to match the former Dynamo Kyiv man’s performances will be tough work this summer.
Marcos Senesi
The Argentinean centre-back was brilliant in his second season at Bournemouth last year, with the undersized defender a ferocious tackler and one of the best passers of the ball you will ever see. Injuries have derailed his season but with Huijsen’s release clause making him a certainty to leave, the Cherries have a ready-made, left-footed replacement at the club already.
Maxim De Cuyper
Pete O’Rourke revealed to Football Insider exclusively Bournemouth are lining up a move for De Cuyper. The 24-year-old is a Belgium international and he scored a smart goal against Aston Villa in their Champions League clash in Bruges. Offers a similar offensive firepower to the out-bound Kerkez with his keen eye for goal. The Brugge defender would slot perfectly into Iraola’s system, allowing them to claim a big fee for their Hungarian star.
Tyler Adams
Hampered by injuries in his first season at the Vitality, the USA captain has been more available this year and has proven himself a massive difference maker. Three assists in 13 starts is good, but his greatness comes in the form of his defensive work, tidying up all over the park, allowing Kerkez and Co to power forward, safe in the knowledge Adams has it under control. Cherries fans will look forward to see more of him next season.
Lewis Cook
Arguably one of the Premier League’s most underrated players, Cook is consistency personified. A true box-to-box midfielder, comfortable leading his team up the pitch as he is slicing apart opposition attacks, the ex-Leeds man has been unfortunate not to add to his solitary England cap. Wolves were keen last summer but Cook committed himself to the Cherries until 2028.
Marcus Tavernier
Another one who falls into the category of “why don’t we speak about this guy more?” The ex-Middlesbrough man has really blossomed next to Justin Kluivert this season, contributing three goals and five assists to the Champions League chase. Whilst his tricky dribbling causes headaches for opposing fullbacks, the ability to consistently win headers has made him an incredibly useful outlet this season.
Igor Paixao to replace Newcastle-bound Antoine Semenyo
Justin Kluivert
Bournemouth are Kluivert’s fifth club since 2020. The son of ex-Newcastle icon, Patrick Kluivert, has failed to capitalise on his natural talents, until now. 12 goals and six assists, weaving runs, multiple hat-tricks and absolute bangers from long-range have put him on some major team’s radars. Keeping the Dutchman this year is an absolute priority for the Cherries.
Igor Paixao
Newcastle have made Semenyo their main target, Brown has told Football Insider, and despite him playing the best football of his career this season, he is clearly ready for the step-up. Replacing him would seem like a tough task, but if the Cherries can get their hands on Paixao, the heartbreak of losing their current star wont last for long. The Brazilian has been ready for a move for a few seasons now and the big boys are taking notice, Bournemouth are in a race with Newcastle and Tottenham for his signature report The Sun. Tore Kyle Walker apart in their first-leg win against AC Milan and had scored a hat-trick against Twente in the league before the international break. You think you’ve seen a player glide on the ball before? Think again, Paixao is a wizard.
Evanilson
Signed for a club-record £40.2million from Porto [BBC Sport], Evanilson started slow, but has picked up speed as his Bournemouth career has developed. Comfortable striking the ball with both feet, the Brazilian striker is primed to take the reigns of the Cherries’ attack next season, four goals in his first season in Portugal was followed by 21 in his second term. The return of Enes Unal from injury will likely only spur him on to make the number nine spot his own.
The losses of Huijsen, Kerkez and Semenyo could be devastating for Bournemouth, but some smart recruitment and tying down Iraola for the long-term will keep them on track for another European charge next year.