Billionaire Bournemouth’s blueprint for Premier League survival
Published:
AFC Bournemouth’s debut Premier League campaign has been derailed in recent weeks as a result of mass injury.
Despite playing some attractive football the Cherries find themselves in the bottom three and unable to call upon the likes of Tommy Elphick, Tyrone Mings, Max Gradel, Christian Atsu and Callum Wilson for much of the remainder of the season.
However, the cavalry has arrived in the shape of a Chicago-based equity-firm, with the billionaire investors buying a 25 per cent share of the club from Russian owner Maxim Demin.
The US firm – Peak 6 Investments – has been brought on board with a specific mandate to help invest in the depleted squad to ensure the Cherries’ top flight survival.
Putting our Football Manager hats on for a minute Ladbrokes News has searched out five players on short-term contracts who could come to the Dean Court club’s rescue.
Goalkeeper – Victor Valdes – Manchester United – £3.5m
The Spaniard would need to see David de Gea, Sergio Romero and Sam Johnstone injured, and Juan Mata pick up a broken finger before he’s likely to be invited back between the sticks at Old Trafford. At 33-years-old the former Barcelona ace still has a good few years left in the tank and by all accounts is hoping to remain in the Premier League so his trip to England isn’t a complete waste of time.
To blame Artur Boruc or Adam Federici for Bournemouth’s woes may seem a little harsh but having conceded the second highest number of goals (25) this season a ‘keeper of Valdes’ stature would surely be welcomed by the fans.
Right-back – Darijo Srna – Shakhtar Donetsk – £4.5m
In splashing out £8m on Tyrone Mings Eddie Howe purchased a long-term solution to his right-back slot but with the former Ipswich man out for the remainder of the season it is a short-term, experienced head that is needed. Step forward Srna, who at 33-years-old could jump at the chance to finish his career in the Premier League.
The defender, capped 126 times by Croatia, has won the Ukrainian Premier League a whopping eight times and would bring a wealth of experience to the south coast.
Centre-back – Daniel Agger – Brondby IF – £2.8m
In the absence of their captain Elphick, Bournemouth are in need of a solid centre-back to play alongside Sylvain Distin and former Liverpool man Agger could fit the bill. Still only 30-years-old, the Dane has been plying his trade in homeland for the last two years.
Still playing at international level the defender could be swayed to turn his back on his first club in order to take up the challenge of the Premier League once again, especially with the European Championships potentially on the horizon.
Winger – Andre Carrillo – Sporting – £8.4m
Lisbon are keen to hold on to Stoke City target Carrillo, with the right winger putting in a number of solid displays.
However, the lure of the Premier League could persuade the 24-year-old Peruvian to turn his back on Portugal and while Stoke’s squad might make the Britannia the more appealing destination at present new arrivals – and the prospect of mammoth wages – could see Bournemouth emerge as a real contender for his services.
Striker – Charlie Austin – QPR – £10m
Austin has long been linked with a return to the club that had to pass him up because of a transfer embargo early in his career. Austin has played for manager Eddie Howe before and with QPR not looking likely to secure promotion back to the Premier League any time soon the Hoops will be keen to cash in rather than let their prized asset leave for free next summer.
The 26-year-old was a menace in the top flight last season and with seven goals to his name already this term it’s clear his golden touch has not deserted him.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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