MX23RW : Wednesday, May 29 04:21:44| >> :120:13923:13923:

What is Bournemouth's top priority for the summer transfer window?

What is Bournemouth's top priority for the summer transfer window?
© Reuters
Ahead of the summer transfer window opening on Wednesday, Sports Mole looks at the priority for Bournemouth in the transfer market over the next few months.

Although Bournemouth enjoyed a positive return to the Premier League, the south coast side cannot afford to rest on their laurels, as failing to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window would almost certainly prove costly.

Due to the millions of pounds that top-flight teams will inevitably spend during the off-season, the Cherries' new owners must make transfer funds available this summer, or Gary O'Neil's side will struggle to progress.

It is no secret that Bournemouth require reinforcements at both ends of the pitch, as they finished the 2022-23 campaign with the third-worst defensive record and the fourth-worst offensive record.

Jefferson Lerma has already departed and will likely need to be replaced, but with standout midfielders such as Philip Billing, Marcus Tavernier, Ryan Christie and Hamed Traore in their ranks, Bournemouth will likely mainly target defenders and forwards this summer as they aim to both prevent and score more goals.

The Cherries would be wise to consider players from the recently relegated teams, given that Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton all have plenty of quality on offer, with a host of players looking to earn an immediate move back to the Premier League.

Defenders such as Armel Bella-Kotchap, Kyle Walker-Peters, Robin Koch and Caglar Soyuncu would enhance Bournemouth's backline, while forwards like Kelechi Iheanacho, Patrick Bamford and Che Adams would bolster O'Neil's attacking options.

Ultimately, Bournemouth will need to strengthen in almost every department in order to keep up with the demands of top-flight football, with squad depth becoming more important each season.

ID:516167: cacheID:516167:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3689:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
AFC Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma celebrates after the match on April 30, 2023
Read Next:
Bournemouth 2022-23 season review - star player, best moment, standout result
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!