Bournemouth

As Bournemouth prepare for the new season, they have unfamiliar territory added to their schedule - European football.

The Cherries have already made a stand in their attempts to keep their star players at the Vitality Stadium for the upcoming campaign by rejecting a £64m bid for Alex Scott from Chelsea.

Marcus Tavernier told BBC Radio Solent: "We're in a position now where we have reached Europe, and we want to keep our squad and the club have made a stand on that."

After an emphatic 2025-26 campaign under Andoni Iraola, the Cherries will feature in the Europa League for the upcoming season and Tavernier said they plan to make a mark in their debut European football campaign.

"We are not just there to make numbers up, we want to compete and go as far as possible and reach the later stages. The only way you do this is to keep your best players and that is what the club is looking to do," added Tavernier.

Although the Cherries' new boss Marco Rose aims to play a similar style of football to Iraola, the attacking midfielder said the side "have to adapt a little bit."

"He knows our team is very suited to a certain style of play. He is wanting to do that as well with some small tweaks that we are working on, and we are going to implement that in the pre-season matches."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds here or by pressing play above

Jordan Clark
BBC Radio Solent reporter in Saalfelden

It's matchday for Bournemouth in Austria, with Marco Rose's side taking on German second-tier side St Pauli at Saalfelden Arena later on (15:00 BST).

We'll get our first look at Rose's style of play and hopefully some minutes for new striker Alvaro Rodriguez.

Rose has often played with two strikers at his previous clubs, so it will be interesting to see if he does that with the Cherries and what partnerships he chooses.

Bournemouth have Rodriguez, Evanilson, Eli Junior Kroupi, Enes Unal and Daniel Jebbison as their senior attacking options out here in Austria.

The Cherries are without centre-back Veljko Milosavljevic, who has not travelled because of injury.

We're also expecting Rayan and Tyler Adams to arrive at some point over the weekend, with the pair travelling later than the rest of the squad after their involvement at the World Cup with Brazil and the United States respectively.

Our Solent Sport show will come live from the Saalfelden Arena after the game from 18:00 BST - so make sure to listen either on BBC Radio Solent or on the BBC Sounds app.

Hit play above to hear the latest update from Jordan in Austria or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Bournemouth's academy manager Sam Gisborne has said it is "very pleasing" that the Cherries have been awarded Category One status.

"Massive moment for us. Massive moment for the players, the parents and everyone involved," Gisborne told BBC Radio Solent.

On what Category One status means, Gisborne added: "What people will see is better games, access to better opposition so you'll see us playing current Premier League teams week in, week out.

"The first year at Category One will be similar to Category Two, but as you grow, you get access to the international club, the EFL Trophy and then you are accessing games against men's teams or international opposition. The opportunities that our boys get will be against better opposition.

"There's still loads and loads of work to do, but we're happy that we are at this status now and we can move forward."

Gisborne added that being a Category One club "allows us the opportunity to recruit nationally at certain ages so we now have access to talent all over the country, which is massive for the football club".

"We now have better opportunity to affect the first team, which is exactly why we are here and what we want to do," he said.

Hit play below to hear more about Bournemouth's Category One academy status, or listen here on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to pick one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want Bournemouth to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Here are some of your suggestions:

Clive: The player I would move on is Max Aarons, who is one of our most ineffective right-backs. To replace him, I would bring in Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon. He would give us physicality and strength in an area where we need more.

Mike: We should be looking at John Stones on a free. Adds experience and composure to a team who will miss Marcos Senesi's ability to bring the ball forward and pick out passes from the back.

Roan: Alex Scott would definitely be the first to leave the Bournemouth roster this season, especially after his refusal to sign a new contract. Cashing in on his huge asking price of £80m is the most logical move. As for the most realistic replacement, Roma's Manu Kone is an amazing option. His performances last season were great, as are his physical and defensive capabilities. His asking price is in the £50m-£60m range, which would allow us to strengthen in other areas. We are in need of a player with real experience on the European and world stage.

Robert: One in would most certainly be Marc Cucurella, although he has signed for Real Madrid. He is a left-sided reader of the game, a player who always seems to have space to help a team member with a safe pass, the team's 'get out of jail' card.

Bournemouth's Tyler Adams, who is valued at about £35m, is an option for Manchester United as they look to strengthen in midfield. (Mail), external

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

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Jordan Clark
BBC Radio Solent reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth's hopes of re-signing goalkeeper Christos Mandas on loan again appear to be over.

The 24-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan from Lazio, but he failed to make an appearance for the Cherries.

It is understood the Serie A club are only willing to let Mandas leave on a permanent deal, having already sold Ivan Provedel to Inter Milan.

But Bournemouth are not prepared to pay the Italian side's 18m euro (£15.4m) asking price for the goalkeeper.

They currently have Djordje Petrovic, Will Dennis and Fraser Forster in their goalkeeping ranks, with Alex Paulsen joining Scottish Premiership side Motherwell on loan this month.

The door is now open for Dennis to prove he can be the man to challenge Petrovic for a starting spot.

Head coach Marco Rose and new goalkeeping coach Frederic de Boever are set to reassess the situation when they return from their 10-day training camp in Austria.

Jordan Clark
BBC Radio Solent reporter in Saalfelden

Good morning from Austria, where Bournemouth are a couple of days into a 10-day pre-season training camp with new manager Marco Rose.

I'll be out here until Saturday interviewing the players and the coaching staff, as well as taking in the fixture against St Pauli on Friday, where we will get a first look at Rose's playing style and new signing Alvaro Rodriguez.

The latest news from Saalfelden is that Bournemouth remain in advanced talks with Benfica over a deal worth 25m euros (£21.3m), plus add-ons, for 22-year-old centre-back Antonio Silva.

The Cherries are confident the deal will get done, but Benfica's Europa League qualifier against St Gallen is complicating things.

Silva looks set to play in Thursday's first leg - and the Portuguese side would like him to feature in the second leg next week too.

It is important to point out that he wouldn't be cup tied for Bournemouth's Europa League campaign, though, with qualifying treated differently.

Elsewhere, it is business as usual for Alex Scott. He is here and training hard with the squad.

Bournemouth's stance remains that he is not for sale, despite already receiving enquiries from six different clubs this summer. Five of those sides are in the Premier League, while it is understood a top European club has also made contact with the Cherries.

Hit play below to hear more from Jordan in Austria, or listen here on BBC Sounds

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Jordan Clark
BBC Radio Solent reporter

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Frederic de Boever has been appointed as Bournemouth's new first-team goalkeeper coach.

He left Monaco at the end of last season and spent the summer working as Belgium's second goalkeeper coach at the World Cup.

De Boever has also spent time as goalkeeper coach at Club Brugge and Al-Arabi, as well as working in Qatar and Singapore.

The Cherries like that he has both Champions League and Europa League experience, and he has also worked with high-profile goalkeepers like Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens and Simon Mignolet.

It is understood long-serving goalkeeper coaches Neil Moss and Gareth Stewart were offered roles in the club's academy, with the Cherries keen to keep them both at the club.

Moss is still employed by Bournemouth but his future is unclear, while Stewart has joined Blackburn as their new first-team goalkeeper coach.

Charlie Philpott has also been promoted from the academy to work as De Boever's assistant.

Marco Rose is continuing to shape his coaching team following the departures of Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to Liverpool and more appointments are expected to be announced over the next couple of days, once contracts and visas are sorted out.

Among them is likely to be a new set-piece coach, which is an area Bournemouth identified as needing improvement after they conceded the most goals from set-plays in the Premier League last season.

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Arsenal are edging the battle with Manchester United for Bournemouth's Alex Scott, but the midfielder has concerns around how much game time he would get at the Emirates. (Mirror), external

Alternatively, Scott is keen on a move to Chelsea after the Cherries rejected a £64m bid from the Blues. (Standard), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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BBC Radio Solent's Jordan Clark and Joe Partington have been discussing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott's future after he turned down the chance to sign a contract extension.

With two years left on his current deal, Scott is being tracked by Europe's elite, with the Cherries rejecting a £64m bid from Chelsea.

"I would argue that he'd done so well last season, he's put Bournemouth in a position where they've not been before, into Europe. I'd want to experience that as a player," Partington said.

"I'd want to continue that, to be a big part of that team. Is he going to go elsewhere and get straight in the team and get consistent football? It's yet to be seen. There's suggestions from his management team and the club he maybe will.

"I'm glad the club are standing strong on it because they keep selling their most marketable assets. Are they going to be able to sustain the level they've put themselves in this season [if they keep selling]? It would be very difficult."

Clark added: "It feels like Bournemouth are in a difficult position.

"Scott has two years left, which isn't very long on a contract. You've got a player it seems that wants to explore those options. Maybe now is the time for Bournemouth to cash in, his stock is really high, there's a market there for central-midfielders at the moment."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds here

With the 2026 World Cup done and dusted, the return of club football is back on everyone's minds.

Pre-season preparations are under way and we want you to have a think about Bournemouth's squad.

Tell us one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want the Cherries to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Get in touch with your picks here

Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth have rejected a £64m bid from Chelsea for midfielder Alex Scott.

The Cherries made it clear to the Blues that any further approaches would not be welcomed and that they intend to keep hold of one of their star players.

However, it remains a difficult situation for the club as the England Under-21 international has rejected a new contract that has been on the table for at least two months.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City also expressed an interest in Scott earlier in the window.

Chelsea are also interested in signing England defender John Stones on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City.

The west London side have joined Inter Milan in considering a move for the 32-year-old, who became a free agent when his City contract expired at the end of June.

Chelsea are also in talks to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix while assessing other options in the market, including Como's Jacobo Ramon.

Now the dust has settled on the 2026 World Cup, you can officially review your Predictor results for the tournament.

If you played more than four rounds, BBC Sport has done a deep dive into your predictions, tournament performance and compared you to other players.

Don't worry, though, Predictor isn't stopping at international tournaments! Pre-season has kicked off and there are plenty of friendlies and European qualifiers to keep us occupied before the new season gets under way.

So how do you fancy your chances of correctly predicting the scores for our six selected matches every week?

BBC Sport has launched a new weekly Predictor game to cover the 2026-27 season, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from six fixtures from across the leagues.

There will usually be a Friday deadline and the game will also feature streaks, so make sure to build it into your weekly football habits.

Lock in your first round of predictions before Friday, 24 July here

If you're wondering how to play, here are a few easy steps:

• Click on the link above to take you to the selections page.

• For every match, you either choose a winning team or select a draw - once your prediction has been submitted you won't be able to change it, so be sure to pick carefully.

• Then wait for the results to roll in to see how you have done.

• Share your results with your friends and family.

• Every consecutive round you play adds one to your streak, but if you miss a round then your streak will reset to zero.

Manchester United remain keen to sign a central midfielder but have cooled their interest in Brighton's Cameroon international Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth's Guernseyman Alex Scott, both 22, because of their high price tags. (Teamtalk), external

Bournemouth are determined to keep hold of Scott, who is interesting Arsenal, even though the England Under-21 international has rejected a new contract with the Cherries. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Mohamed Moallim
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League's financial landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Since 2016 total summer transfer spending has risen from £1.16bn to a record £3.19bn in 2025 – an increase of almost 175%.

On the surface, that suggests transfer figures are continuing to accelerate. Headline fees, though, tell only part of the story.

Research by Kieran Maguire and colleagues at the University of Liverpool suggests some of the Premier League's earlier record signings represented even greater investments when measured against clubs' buying power at the time.

Using Premier League broadcasting revenues as an index, Alan Shearer's £15m move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United in 1996 remains the league's biggest transfer relative to clubs' spending power. Rio Ferdinand's £29.1m move to Manchester United in 2002 and Juan Sebastian Veron's £28.1m arrival at Old Trafford in 2001 also rank above any of this summer's blockbuster deals.

The same model suggests Trevor Francis' £1m move from Birmingham City to Forest in 1979 – English football's first £1m transfer – would equate to about £173m in today's market.

That does not mean the fees paid for Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali were modest. Rather, it reflects how dramatically Premier League revenues have grown, allowing clubs to spend sums that would once have been unimaginable.

When Jack Grealish became Britain's first £100m footballer when joining City from Villa in 2021, the transfer marked another turning point in the evolution of the market.

Only five years later, nine-figure deals are no longer viewed as extraordinary. They have become a familiar feature of Premier League transfer windows.

The next milestone may not be far away.

While no Premier League club has yet paid £200m for a player, football's financial ceiling continues to rise and the first transfer of that magnitude no longer feels beyond the realms of possibility.

• Read more on transfer fee evolution

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Alex Scott turning down a new contract and how Bournemouth should handle the situation.

Here are some of your comments:

Mike: He had a great season last year but was not in the team for quite a while in the year before and perhaps has peaked skills-wise. Turning down a contract means he's probably already been tapped up, so best let him go for a large sum and then replace him with someone who wants to play for us. He did well but time to move on. He could fall over tomorrow and break a leg so best take the money now and replace - plenty more where he came from.

Michael: Not sure why any player would want to leave Bournemouth this summer and join a club not playing in Europe. I would have thought it would make more sense to sign a new contract now with a release clause included.

David: It's disappointing that Alex and Bournemouth cannot agree terms for a new contract. Alex wouldn't be in full football focus without Bournemouth giving him a massive push. There is no loyalty in football - however, he gets to play almost every game with the Cherries. Going to a top-four side might mean he plays every other week but will no doubt double his current salary. Come on, Alex, sign for the Cherries.

Chris: With two years left on his contract, this doesn't sit well with me because it gives the impression Alex does not care about his club. Hope that is not the case, but there is history with some footballers using this strategy to force a move. I hope he reconsiders and extends.

Garry: No loyalty again, it seems. We stuck by him when he was struggling to find his confidence and form. I get they can earn mega money, but I think £30K to £40K a week for another year would not be too much to ask would it? Most of us are earning that in a year if we are lucky. Money has killed the game - really sad to see this situation with our team again.

Peter: Sadly, his head may have been turned by top clubs and he thinks playing for one of them improves his England chances. He is probably right.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth remain steadfast in their position that Alex Scott is not for sale.

It comes after the 22-year-old midfielder formally rejected a contract offer that had been on the table since late April or early May.

Regardless of whether a new deal is agreed, the Cherries have insisted publicly, directly to the player and to interested clubs that he will remain on the south coast, even on his current contract, which runs until 2028.

That stance has been consistent and, despite talk of an £80m valuation, Bournemouth have continued to reject approaches, including from five of the Premier League's traditional 'big six' clubs.

Chelsea have joined Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City in registering an interest in recent weeks as they look to strengthen in midfield.

Bournemouth, however, are under no pressure to sell after qualifying for the Europa League and generating significant income through player sales last summer.

They have taken a similar stance with highly-rated forward Junior Kroupi, who is attracting interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. Rayan is also not expected to leave and has given no indication that he wants to, having only joined the club in January.

Scott and Kroupi are with the squad for new manager Marco Rose's pre-season training camp in Austria.

Rayan played for Brazil at the World Cup and is due back at a later date.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has rejected a new contract with growing Premier League interest in the England Under-21 international.

The Cherries have made it a summer priority to tie Scott down to fresh terms but as things stand there is no agreement.

The development comes amid interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea.

BBC Sport reported in June that Arsenal saw an approach for Scott turned down by Bournemouth.

What do you think about this development?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

Thirty-four years ago a £13m transfer caused national outrage in Italy.

When AC Milan signed Gianluigi Lentini from Torino in 1992 for a then world record fee, newspapers called the deal "obscene", while the Vatican's official newspaper described it as "an offence against the dignity of work".

Today that fee would barely register among the Premier League's biggest transfers.

This summer alone Chelsea have agreed a club record £117m deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest £116m for Elliot Anderson, and Tottenham spent a club record £100m on Sandro Tonali.

These are not the only major deals. Tottenham also agreed an £85m move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, Barcelona paid £69m to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, and Manchester United spent £50m on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.

It is the first transfer window in Premier League history to produce three £100m-plus signings - and there are still weeks to go before deadline day on 1 September.

During the 2025 summer window English top-flight clubs spent a record £3bn.

So why are transfer fees continuing to climb? Why are clubs paying record sums for players already playing in England? And why are more clubs willing to sell some of their biggest stars?

Read more here on the big spending taking place in the Premier League

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth fans will have been encouraged by the performances of Ben Gannon-Doak at the World Cup, despite Scotland's brief stay in the tournament. The winger played in all three group matches, and particularly impressed in their sole win over Haiti.

The Cherries had six players at the World Cup, including New Zealand back-up goalkeeper Alex Paulsen who has joined Motherwell on loan for the coming season.

Starring among them, as well as Gannon-Doak, was winger Rayan. The 19-year-old started all Brazil's games bar their opener and claimed an assist in the 3-0 win over Scotland to seal their path to the knockout stage.

It further raises Rayan's stock following his January move to Bournemouth, and superb performances in the second half of last season.

This could be bad news for Bournemouth though, with Rayan heavily linked with Liverpool, managed by former Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.

Read how the World Cup has impacted Premier League clubs

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

New Bournemouth boss Marco Rose has been speaking to the media for the first time since his appointment at his unveiling at the Cherries' Performance Centre.

Here are the key lines from Friday's news conference:

• On his first days at Bournemouth, Rose said: "I settled in very well. Everyone was very kind. The environment is perfect to work. The people support me in everything and the culture is unbelievable. This is what I appreciate and I look forward to getting more of this."

• Rose insisted he has seen no signs that any of his key players are looking to move on, with reported interested in Eli Junior Kroupi, Alex Scott and Rayan: "So far, it's not a challenge for me, to be honest. The first four days, we are in touch and my feeling is that the boys are feeling really good here. The club is doing a lot of things to show the players that they are in the right place."

• On Kroupi, he added: "Kroupi made great improvement last season, so I think for him there's no ceiling. Even he knows that he's in a good place to improve. He's playing in Europe, he'll have many games and he's playing in the most competitive and intensive league in the world."

• On Scott: "Alex knows what he has with this club, and it's always about the right moment to do the next step. If you are a young player and you do steps – and nowadays it happens many times – too fast, too quick, then it's getting difficult."

• Rose said the club are "going to look for a right defender" after the departure of Alex Jimenez to Fiorentina this week.

• He was asked about succeeding Andoni Iraola and following Bournemouth's most successful ever season: "The pressure is on. When we started to talk when Andoni was thinking about doing something different, I started to watch many games and read things about the club. Now we play in Europe, it is a big accomplishment for this club and they deserve it. The manner and way they played was really impressive. That is what we have to maintain - the culture and approach of the game, being front-footed. I am looking forward and excited."

• More on attacking the Europa League: "We want to be competitive in every competition. We want to go to the next round in Europe. We are not just there to watch and enjoy it - we are there to win."

• On his first training day, Rose invited the club's under-nines to train with the first team: "It should be important wherever you are as a coach, whether you are here for 10 years or just two weeks. The kids are our future and to see how happy they were and to see their shiny eyes - it was just a pleasure to have them here. It shows how we work here - it is a family club, and we have to continue. It is one of our biggest strengths."

Hit play above to hear more from Rose or listen here on BBC Sounds

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.

Here are some of your replies:

Ross: I'm really looking forward to seeing how Bournemouth will cope in Europe and if the club will invest in more players. If they don't invest, how will the players do with playing a few times a week? It will be interesting to see if the new manager keeps a similar style or changes from Andoni Iraola's very high-pressing style. Most importantly, I'm just looking forward to seeing the boys back in action in the redeveloped Dean Court.

Robbie: A trip to Sheriff Tiraspol away in the Europa League. I'd love a trip to Transnistria.

Malcolm: After a long break, I'm really looking forward to the new season. I guess the highlight must be the Europa League and a journey into the unknown. With a new manager at the helm and with new playing staff, it should be another exciting season.

Jim: For Bournemouth, the answer to this has to be Europe.

Liverpool have asked Bournemouth about 19-year-old winger Rayan as they aim to reunite the Brazilian with former head coach Andoni Iraola. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport