Who is…Bournemouth’s new attacking ace Juan Iturbe?
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AFC Bournemouth are set to make a real fist of Premier League survival after beating a host of rivals to the signing of a player being dubbed ‘ the new Lionel Messi’.
The Cherries have snapped up 22-year-old Roma ace Juan Iturbe beating Watford and a number of other interested parties to the exciting forward.
Iturbe joins on £1.1m loan deal until the end of the season but manager Eddie Howe will have the option to make the arrangement permanent for £16m should the Argentinean impress on the south coast.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina Iturbe started his career in Paraguay with Sportivo Trinidense where he reportedly made his debut at the age of 12.
His potential was soon recognised by Cerro Porteno where some dazzling performances, including a Copa Libertadores brace, saw Portuguese giants Porto come calling.
However, after just a handful of games for the first and second side he returned to South America on loan with River Plate before finding his feet in Italy with Hellas Verona.
A return of eight goals in 22 appearances was enough to convince Roma of his ability and he was duly snapped up in a €22m swoop.
The forward made 37 appearance for the Giallorossi in his first season but despite 19 games this term has failed to impress, with just a single goal.
However, Howe believes that Iturbe can flourish in an environment where a hefty price-tag is not weighing on his mind and hopes that Dean Court is the place where comparisons to Messi finally come to fruition.
Take a look at some of Iturbe’s highlights at Roma here:
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