Bournemouth turn towards World Cup star to bolster attack
Published:
AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is wasting no time in making his preparations for next season, with a bid for Portuguese striker Eder reportedly in the works.
Howe secured the Championship title last weekend with a 3-0 win over Charlton and despite the prolific nature of the Cherries this season – they scored 98 league goals – the manager intends to add fire power up front.
Eder, 27, has just a year remaining on his Braga contract and it is believed that a fee between £2m and £5m would be enough to secure his services.
Howe will face competition from south coast rivals Southampton, who have also been monitoring the Guinea-Bissau-born forward, but with the Bournemouth boss bidding first the Dean Court club appear to be at the head of the queue.
A Portuguese Cup winner with Academica in 2012, Eder has been a huge success at Braga, smashing 23 league goals in 44 games and helping Os Arcebispos lift the Portuguese League Cup in 2013.
Here’s a sneak peek at what Cherries fans can expect from Eder:
Bournemouth already have a prolific front man in the shape of Callum Wilson and the pacy former Coventry star, who netted 23 league goals this term, could prove the perfect foil for the taller and more powerful Eder.
However, before Cherries fans start to dream of a dynamic duo set to rival Mark Stein and Steve Fletcher, Eder could well arrive at the club to replace Wilson.
The 23-year-old, a £3m record purchase last summer, has attracted admiring glances from a host of clubs with as many as 10 top flight sides credited with an interest.
The Cherries are odds-on to stay up next season, with bookmakers apparently convinced by Howe’s attacking style of play, and arrivals of Eder’s ilk – as a Wilson replacement or otherwise – will certainly help the Seasiders’ cause.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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