MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 12:40:32| >> :120:15962:15962:

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
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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!