World Cup scouting: A 'little rocket' like Irankunda?published at 14:38 BST 1 July
14:38 BST 1 July
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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Jack: I would say Gutierrez from Mexico. He's a good midfielder who can play throughout the midfield similar to Alex Scott.
Robert: We need a good, solid central defender to replace Senesi. After the performance tonight, that's Gustavo Gomez for me!
Josie: I would love if we bought the Aussie Nestory Irankunda from Watford. I think he's a proper little rocket and has the potential to go very far. Having watched him play every game last season, I think he is what we need.
'It's all about this town' - Frevola on stadium expansionpublished at 11:40 BST 1 July
11:40 BST 1 July
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Bournemouth President of Business Jim Frevola, says expanding the Vitality Stadium to 20,000 capacity is "all about" the community.
"I've been consistent in my time here that my biggest frustration is when people say they can't come to matches," Frevola told BBC Radio Solent.
"They can't bring their parent, spouse, partner or friends or especially their kids – we want to get that next generation of Bournemouth supporters here. It's not about bringing in folks from London or tourists, it's about bringing in the community that loves this football club and has loved it but can't always crack that 11,286 capacity.
"To get it to 20,000 is going to be a remarkable achievement for us and it's all about this town."
The expansion starts on the eve of a season where the Cherries will play European football for the first time in the club's history and when asked whether that makes it the right time, Frevola backed the decision by owner Bill Foley.
"It comes at whatever time Bill says it comes at and he's been consistent in his belief and ambition that this team will compete at the highest levels, not only in the Premier League but also in Europe, so we're glad to honour his ambition," Frevola said.
"I've been with the guy for nearly 10 years now from Vegas to here and everything he touches turns to gold. He wins but he does it with all of the right intentions. He does it with the people in mind and you see that when he comes to visit; he goes to the pubs, he talks to the folks, he walks around and he's not doing it for any other reason than he genuinely cares about this football club."
Gossip: Chelsea want Junior Kroupipublished at 08:22 BST 1 July
08:22 BST 1 July
Chelsea are hoping to add to their attack by signing Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi. The 20-year-old France Under-21s international had a fine 2025-26 season, scoring 13 times in the Premier League. (Caught Offside), external
You're the scout! Which World Cup players do you want at your club?published at 11:46 BST 29 June
11:46 BST 29 June
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We're now into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention so far - especially with the summer transfer window a couple of weeks into being officially open.
Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?
Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?
This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...
And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.
This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.
This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.
Bournemouth join race for Arsenal target Mbembapublished at 16:37 BST 26 June
16:37 BST 26 June
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
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Bournemouth have joined Arsenal in exploring a move for Paris St-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer.
The Cherries have held initial talks over a development pathway for the 18-year-old left-back, who can also play at centre-back and will be available for a nominal training compensation fee when his contract at PSG expires.
The plan would see Mbemba move on loan to Lorient - part of the Black Knight multi-club ownership group - to continue his development before potentially returning to play in the Premier League.
It would not affect Marco Rose's first-team plans this summer, with Bournemouth primarily targeting a centre-back, working on a contract renewal for key midfielder Alex Scott and potentially looking to sign a striker should Enes Unal leave.
Although Arsenal have offered a similar pathway, they are unable to provide it within the same ownership structure, which could give Bournemouth greater control over his playing time while on loan.
Arsenal's proposal is still understood to have impressed, with Mikel Arteta's side pointing to their stable leadership and their track record of developing players, including France international William Saliba during a loan spell at Marseille.
Mbemba is a France youth international and recently captained PSG's under-19 side to French Youth Cup success at the Stade de France.
'A key part of our dressing room' - Forster signs new dealpublished at 18:09 BST 25 June
18:09 BST 25 June
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Bournemouth goalkeeper Fraser Forster has signed a new one-year contract to extend his stay at Vitality Stadium.
The 38-year-old has agreed to new terms after arriving on the south coast in January on a six-month deal until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Despite not making any first-team appearances last season, the four-time Scottish Premiership champion and Europa League winner will bring plenty of experience when the Cherries compete in Europe for the first time in the club's history.
"I'm pleased to be staying another year at Bournemouth," Forster told afcb.co.uk. "I've enjoyed my six months here and I look forward to seeing what the group can achieve together going forward."
Head of Football Operations Tiago Pinto added: "His experience and contributions alongside his fellow goalkeepers last season were invaluable.
"He is a key part of our dressing room and someone who can help the group throughout 2026-27."
Rayan pounces on Scotland defensive mistakepublished at 09:38 BST 25 June
09:38 BST 25 June
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Bournemouth winger Rayan became the youngest player on record to provide an assist for Brazil at the World Cup, having teed up Vinicius Jr just seven minutes into their group-stage encounter with Scotland.
Muller previously held the record after scoring against Northern Ireland during the 1986 World Cup at 20 years and 132 days old.
Rayan, 19, also became just the sixth teenager to start a World Cup match for Brazil - and he was the first to do so since Marco Antonio in 1970.
Your World Cup scouting: Would Summerville suit the Cherries?published at 16:07 BST 24 June
16:07 BST 24 June
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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit for Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Leo: Nathan Ake [Netherlands] just makes sense for obvious reasons as I could see Bafode Dialite leaving. But depending on what happens to Alex Jimenez there's a shout for a right back that we can develop like Nathan Patterson [Scotland], or even someone like Ismael Kone [Canada]. He is injured though.
Dave: We could do with an attacking midfielder, Crysencio Summerville [Netherlands] perhaps. Any of the Cape Verde defenders!
Laurie: Looking at the early World Cup matches one player who caught my eye as fitting the Bournemouth mould is Ayyoub Bouaddi of Morocco. He's young (18 years) athletic and skilful. He plays for Lille in the French league so could be a relatively cheap buy for our midfield.
Jeff: Crysencio Summerville of the Netherlands. He will leave West Ham and would fit our style of play perfectly.
Bournemouth's recruitment is unlikely to be as busy as it was in the summer of 2025, when the sale of several stars meant replacements were required.
The Cherries are definitely in the market for a goalkeeper to provide back-up and competition for Djordje Petrovic, and would probably like a left-footed centre-back to fill the gap left by Marcos Senesi's move to Tottenham which will go through on 1 July. Some of the world's best defenders are on show at the World Cup, but that may not be Bournemouth's target market.
Any other business may depend on whether any of their current stars are prised away. Despite some noise in the media around Alex Scott, Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan, concrete interest is yet to materialise.
Gossip: Premier League clubs eyeing Scottpublished at 08:21 BST 24 June
08:21 BST 24 June
Manchester United and Arsenal are tracking 22-year-old Bournemouth and England midfielder Alex Scott, but any successful move could cost about £60m. (Mail), external
Former Bournemouth forward Steve Fletcher thinks the first game might be the "best time" to play City, following the World Cup.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent Fletcher said: "For Marco Rose our new manager, that's a bit of a baptism of fire but we're going to have to go to these boys eventually anyway.
"We've got Liverpool away on the last game of the season as well so you've got to play them.
"It might be the best time to play Man City, they've had a lot of players out in the World Cup. I'm trying to think of reasons here that we could turn them over. We've done it once in our history and we're a good team.
"Man City are full of superstars, I understand that, but if we can catch them cold on the first game of the season, it's going to be on TV, it's on a Sunday, a new manager.
"We've got to play them eventually, so let's get the season underway."
City have welcomed fixtures against Bournemouth, and they have won all nine of their Premier League home games against the Cherries by an aggregate score of 34-6.
Unfortunately for Rose, none of the four previous managers who have faced City in their first Premier League game have picked up three points.
Bournemouth have won their opening game in just two out of nine Premier League campaigns (D3 L4), beating Cardiff City in 2018-19 and Aston Villa in 2022-23.
Christie on Messi and a 'non-existent' dreampublished at 09:31 BST 18 June
09:31 BST 18 June
Tom English BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in Charlotte
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Relaxing with his team-mates in their hotel in uptown Charlotte, Ryan Christie watched the Lionel Messi show on Tuesday evening. Agog, like the rest of us. An international footballer, yes, but in those moments of magic from the great man, just another mortal.
"When you chill out a bit, you turn back into a spectator," said the Bournemouth and Scotland midfielder.
"Watching Messi [scoring a hat-trick against Algeria] and stuff like that, it's incredible to watch that happen. It's immense and pretty surreal, to be honest.
"When I was younger, I idolised Messi, so to think you're playing on the same kind of stage as him now is pretty cool, especially the age he's at. Watching him do his thing was unbelievable."
Tuesday was moving day in America, to an extent. A treble for Messi and doubles for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland - the big boys came out to play. The tournament seemed to find another gear in the process.
For Christie, there was never any thought in his young head that he would ever make it to a stage like this. "Non-existent," he said. "I don't know if it sounds bad to say that.
"I had aspirations of playing for Scotland when I was growing up - that was my pinnacle - but you didn't ever think further than that. I never, ever envisioned playing at a Euros, never mind the World Cup.
"I didn't watch Scotland in a major tournament, so in my head that just wasn't really a possibility at that point - and probably why, all those years down the line, when we had that night in Serbia [qualifying for the first Euros under Steve Clarke] it hit home so much."
Christie has just signed a new deal with Bournemouth and will remain at the club until 2029. He is, as they say, in a good place. Messi's exploits at 38 - he will be 39 this month - offers Christie a world of encouragement that this World Cup doesn't necessarily have to be his last.
In England, he sees players getting better with age, guys in their mid-30s who are still operating well at the top level. "Some are pushing for the high-30s and still churning out unbelievable performances week in, week out," he said.
'The future is bright for Scott' - Goslingpublished at 11:00 BST 17 June
11:00 BST 17 June
Media caption,
Former Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling believes 22-year-old Alex Scott is "another player who is going to go for big money" within the next two seasons.
"He was unlucky to miss out on the World Cup," Gosling told BBC Radio Solent. "His form has been amazing since he joined Bournemouth, but he has really stepped up this past season and he is now being linked with Liverpool and Manchester United.
"You have to look at the players he is competing against in that England team, such as £100m Declan Rice, £100m-rated Elliot Anderson, world-class Jude Bellingham, and Morgan Rogers who has just had the season of his life.
"Thomas Tuchel didn't want to take players he felt wouldn't get the minutes they deserved - and Scott probably just fell into that category, which is really unlucky. I don't think he is far away from getting in that team and playing.
"He just needs to keep his head down and keep doing what he is doing. I'm sure he will because he is a fantastic lad. Everybody I speak to says he is a great lad with a great temperament, so the future is bright for him."
On Arsenal's rumoured interest in Scott, Gosling added: "He has a couple of years left on his current contract and Bournemouth will be looking to tie him down to a new deal.
"He is going to have the pick of three or four of the best clubs in England if his form carries on, which I'm sure it will do. He is another player who is going to go for big money, whether it is in this transfer window or next summer.
"I feel really sorry for the club at the moment because they keep having to sell their best players, but it is testament to how well they are run."
Listen to the full conversation by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here
Cherries 'hopeful' they can deter buyerspublished at 10:39 BST 16 June
10:39 BST 16 June
Media caption,
Alexander Smith, senior sports journalist at the Bournemouth Daily Echo, thinks Bournemouth "feel confident" they can keep hold of key players after last season's sixth-placed finish.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, he said: "The main priority is making sure they keep hold of as many players as they possibly can. The three names they are most concerned about losing are Alex Scott, Rayan and Eli Junior Kroupi."
Kroupi has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Arsenal in recent weeks.
"They feel confident of keeping hold of them but you never know with the season they had last season," Smith added. "Someone could come in and offer an awful lot of money and make them an offer that they can't refuse. I'm hopeful and cautiously optimistic that they can keep hold of them."
The Cherries will play in European competition for the first time in their history next season and Smith thinks that puts them in a "better position" in terms of the players that are attracting interest and says it is in Bournemouth's hands regarding contracts.
He added: "They're planning to offer a new contract to Alex Scott. Rayan and Junior Kroupi are both tied in. Junior Kroupi doesn't have a release clause, Rayan does but it's not active yet so those two they are feeling like they can be quite bullish and turn down any lowball offers and push for anything much, much higher than clubs might be willing to pay, which puts them in a good position.
"I think they are hopeful that they can ward off any potential buyers and keep the selling down to a minimum.
"In terms of incomings, the main priority in the short term will be replacing Marcos Senesi and then potentially getting a new striker if Enes Unal leaves.
"They will probably want to bring in a couple more on top of that at least to make sure they have got two good options in every single position for the season to come and make sure that they have a bit more depth in key areas like the wings, forward positions and in central midfield.
"It will be another case of recruiting cleverly and trying to bring in players on good deals here and there."
Image source, Getty Images
