Is former Premier League star answer to Bournemouth’s defensive woe?
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AFC Bournemouth could be tempted to dip back into the Championship to boost their defensive options, with Hull City’s Curtis Davies emerging as a target.
With Tyrone Mings and captain Tommy Elphick among the Cherries’ long list of injuries Eddie Howe is expected to make several additions to his squad as the Seasiders fight for top flight survival.
With American billionaires recently buying a 25 per cent stake in the club many expect the Cherries boss to spend big in January but with the Dean Court club still scrapping at the wrong end of the table, Howe may have to set his sights slightly lower.
And if it’s Premier League experience at a bargain price that the Bournemouth manager is looking for, few fit the bill better than the Tigers stopper.
Having plied his trade in the Premier League with West Brom, Birmingham, Aston Villa and Hull – until their relegation – Davies is well accustomed to the challenge of England’s highest division.
And with his contract at the KC Stadium expiring in June, Tigers boss Steve Bruce could be willing to cash in on the 30-year-old now, rather than see him walk away for free in the summer.
According to Transfermrkt.com, Davies would command a fee of around £2.45m but with time not on the Championship club’s side that price could well come down.
News of the Cherries’ interest in Davies comes hot on the heels of reports the club are indentifying a number of attacking options.
New York Red Bulls ace Bradley Wright-Phillips, Napoli’s Dutch star Jonathan de Guzman and QPR hitman Charlie Austin are among the names said to be on Howe’s Christmas wish-list.
The Cherries are next in action against Swansea and go into that game as the 10/3 underdogs.
Howe’s men are also evens to beat the drop and avoid being a Premier League one-season wonder, a price that could fall if the manager acquires his supposed targets.
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