Bournemouth

Spanish football expert Juan Castro says expected Bournemouth signing Alvaro Rodriguez can score "a lot of goals" for the club but needs to "progress and upgrade" to succeed in the Premier League.

The Cherries have agreed a deal worth £27.5m for the 21-year-old striker, who scored seven goals for Elche last season.

"It's not a big star in the Spanish league, but he is a striker who can score a lot of goals for Bournemouth," Castro told BBC Radio Solent.

"People can expect from him a lot of fight and a lot of goals. He can fit in that system, in that team, he can replace any player. Of course he has to upgrade a little bit from his performances in La Liga.

"He has to progress to success in the Premier League. He has promised a lot at Real Madrid initially, then Getafe, and in the last season Elche, but in my opinion he has to progress and step forward to succeed in the Premier League.

"He is a great header of the ball but he is also a specialist in creating space for himself inside the box. He is selfish enough to create his space between the defenders in the box and to score goals but he is more known as a good header."

• Hear more insight on Rodriguez above or listen on BBC Sounds here

Meanwhile, first-team coaches Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper are confirmed to have left the club to follow Andoni Iraola to Liverpool.

On their exits, former Cherries defender Warren Cummings said: "Incredible move for both of them and shows what Andoni thinks of them.

"For those two I'm delighted and I don't think it's a move they can turn down."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Roma and Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs, with Bournemouth, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Newcastle United and Sunderland all asking about the 25-year-old's availability. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Keito Nakamura has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, including Bournemouth, Everton and Fulham with his impressive performances for Japan at the World Cup.

The 26-year-old winger has an agreement in place with his French side Reims that would allow him to leave for a suitable fee - understood to be about £21.5m - after the club failed to win promotion to Ligue 1 last season.

Everton and Bournemouth have asked what it might take to sign Nakamura with his entourage but would need to attackers to leave before making a move.

Fulham, who look likely to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager, are also keen.

Nakamura spent last season playing in the French second tier, despite interest from clubs including Spanish club Villarreal and Turkish giants Besiktas, with offers reaching up to £15.5m.

The versatile forward finished as Reims' leading scorer with 14 goals and then established himself as Japan's first-choice left winger at the World Cup after Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma's was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Nakamura scored one goal, provided an assist and was named in Opta's team of the group stage. Japan pushed Brazil in their last 32 match before the five-time champions scored a late winner to knock out the Samurai Blue.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose has succeeded Andoni Iraola, with Bournemouth targeting a striker and a left-sided centre-back this summer.

The Cherries are now in talks to bring in Elche forward Alvaro Rodriguez for an initial fee of about £18m, rising to £25m with add-ons, and any striker signing would provide competition and support for Evanilson.

The club are also open to selling Turkey forward Enes Unal for the right price.

Bournemouth are hoping for a more stable summer than last year, when three of their first-choice back four and their starting goalkeeper departed.

Several clubs have expressed an interest in midfielder Alex Scott, who is reported to be valued at about £80m.

However, club sources insist he is not for sale, despite enquiries from Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Instead, Bournemouth hope Scott will sign a new contract on improved terms, potentially including an agreement that would allow him to leave in the future for a predetermined fee, similar to the arrangement that preceded Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City for about £65m in January.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to be part of Andoni Iraola's backroom staff at Anfield.

Both Elphick and Cooper worked with Iraola at Bournemouth and will now leave the Cherries to join the Spaniard as first-team coaches at Liverpool.

Bristol City and Burnley were interested in Elphick for their managerial vacancy but the former centre-back has chosen to continue a relationship with Iraola that started in 2023.

Pablo de la Torre joins as an assistant coach, with this now the fourth time he has worked with Iraola at a different club.

Tom Webber - who also worked with Iraola at Bournemouth - will join Liverpool too as first-team tactical coach after a decade in performance analysis at Bournemouth.

After the sacking of Arne Slot his assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst left, while Ruben Peeters, who was the first-team performance coach, also departed. Slot's first-team tactical analyst, Roderick van der Ham, confirmed in a LinkedIn post this week that he was also leaving the club.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Tell us the players you've scouted so far

Image source, Getty Images

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."

Click play below to hear the full chat or listen on BBC Sounds here

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

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Bournemouth have joined the list of clubs interested in Benfica's 26-year-old Colombia midfielder Richard Rios. (Sportwitness), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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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."

Image source, Getty Images

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.

A 3-0 victory for the five-time champions at Miami Stadium meant they finished top of Group C, while third-placed Scotland must now wait to see if they will qualify for the last 32.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Tell us who you have scouted

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

It's the ultimate shop window: a World Cup with 48 teams - all packed with players eager to show what they can do on the biggest stage.

With the transfer window now open, BBC Sport journalists have been taking a look at some of the key names being discussed.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

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

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Some of you have used our Ask Me Anything service to query key European dates for next season.

Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace will play in the Europa League next season, with the league phase draw taking place on Friday, 28 August.

The first round of games will be played on either 16 or 17 September and there will be eight matchdays that culminate on 28 January 2027.

From there, it is knockout football with the final taking place in Frankfurt on 26 May 2027.

League phase games will be played:

• 16/17 September 2026

• 15 October 2026

• 22 October 2026

• 5 November 2026

• 26 November 2026

• 10 December 2026

• 21 January 2027

• 28 January 2027

Knockout games will be played:

• Knockout phase play-offs - 18 and 25 February 2027

• Round of 16 - 11 and 18 March 2027

• Quarter-finals - 8 and 15 April 2027

• Semi-finals - 29 April and 6 May 2027

• Final - 26 May 2027

"A baptism of fire" for new manager Marco Rose is what Steve Fletcher thinks of Bournemouth's opening fixtures.

The Cherries are set to travel to Manchester City on the first day of the new campaign, then host Everton, followed by a visit to Newcastle, before hosting Brentford and Liverpool.

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."

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip above

Image source, Getty Images

The opening day of the season at the Etihad will see a fresh era begin at both Manchester City and Bournemouth.

Marco Rose will take charge of his first competitive game for the Cherries, but will it be Enzo Maresca in the dugout for City?

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.

• Read more on the matches and rule changes for 2026-27