Former Man United star among three supposed Bournemouth targets
Published:
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe’s claims that he will look for players with experience of the English top flight to help the Cherries survival attempt have been backed up, with a trio of veteran strikers being linked with the Dean Court club.
Howe believes a sprinkling of Premier League knowledge throughout his squad could be enough to help his exciting young side remain in the top flight and that knowledge could arrive in the shape of former Manchester United, Tottenham and Fulham forward Dimitar Berbatov.
The Monaco striker, 34, has shown glimpses of his previous best in the Champions League this season, but with the principality club facing financial sanctions a return to England has been mooted for the Bulgarian.
Bournemouth could potentially land the languid striker on a free transfer, but would have to stump up wages of around £100,000 per week to convince Berba to make a trip to the south coast.
Should Howe find that price too high, a one-time Cherries loan star could provide a viable alternative.
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, 32, scored 19 goals in 32 loan appearances at Dean Court in the 2000-01 season and should the Black Cats go down it is thought Howe will try to tempt the former Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham ace back to Boscombe.
Should Dick Advocaat pull off a great escape, however, Howe could turn his attention Stateside where former Newcastle and current Seattle ace Obafemi Martins, 30, has been among the goals.
The former Inter Milan star has hit 33 goals in just 67 games for the Sounders and while his wage demands would be at the upper end of Bournemouth’s budget, Howe could be swayed to pay top dollar for a man with almost 100 English top flight games under his belt.
Bournemouth are currently priced at 5/1 to finish in the top ten of the Premier League next season and should one of this trio of strikers arrive in top form that could prove a shrewd bet.
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