Bournemouth to offer Newcastle man Premier League lifeline
Published:
AFC Bournemouth are poised to offer forgotten Newcastle man Yoan Gouffran a Premier League lifeline, according to reports.
Gouffran, a 2013 arrival at St James’ Park from Bordeaux, has fallen down the pecking order under Steve McClaren, having played just over an hour of first team football this season.
It is thought that the Magpies gaffer will be willing to accept offers for the 29-year-old in January and Eddie Howe sees the misfit as the player who can bulk up his injury-ravaged squad.
Howe has seen record signing Max Gradel and Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu sidelined for the remainder of the season, while Scotland international Matt Ritchie is reportedly a target for Manchester United.
This has left Howe short of wide options, with Junior Stanislas and Josh King failing to fully convince in advanced roles.
Bournemouth will face competition from Championship outfit Wolverhampton for the Frenchman’s signature, but it is thought the player would prefer to remain in the top flight.
The Cherries picked up their first points since losing striker Callum Wilson to injury at the weekend, drawing 2-2 with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
However, after going 2-0 up Howe will be keen to see his side finish games off and the arrival of Gouffran, scorer of 73 goals in his homeland, could prove a massive boost.
The draw leaves Bournemouth in 18th place, just a point behind Newcastle, and odds of 5/6 for relegation suggest something needs to happen for the Cherries to survive.
Gouffran alone is unlikely to prove the catalyst for a serious survival push – but it would be a start.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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