Bournemouth need reality check as Leeds, West Ham baulk at star’s price
A number of Premier League clubs are interested in signing Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma but his hefty price tag is proving an obstacle.
The 24-year-old joined the Cherries in the summer of 2019. The south-coast outfit paid Club Brugge £13.7m for the talented wide man. Opportunities were limited during his first campaign.
The Netherlands international started just six games among 14 Premier League outings for Eddie Howe’s side. But that all changed in 2020-2021 as the Nigerian-born ace enjoyed 35 Championship outings and scored 17 goals.
That return made a few top-flight clubs sit up and take not, with Leeds United and West Ham United thought to be keen. It was reported in May that Ligue 1 outfit Lille were also in the mix.
But Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites could hold all the aces after the player’s comments last month.
“Leeds is a bigger institution than Bournemouth, has a very nice history and they play Premier League,” he said. “And I don’t think I can play another Championship season, I’ve outgrown the competition a bit. Leeds United would be a nice step.”
Those words clearly point to an exit from the Vitality Stadium but there have been no bids to date.
Bournemouth driving hard bargain over Danjuma
One of the main problems with Bournemouth’s attempts to offload the wide man is their valuation. Despite limited exposure to the Premier League, the second-tier outfit are asking £35m for their man, according to The Sun (via Football League World).
That seems ambitious and it is not known if any of the interested clubs are willing to go that high. The Cherries are known to be trying to get rid of a few of their high-earners to help with finances.
The pandemic has hit clubs hard, especially those outside the elite. And it seems inevitable that the former NEC star will be jettisoned if they can find a suitable buyer.
Leeds are known to be in the market for attacking players. They enjoyed a remarkable return to England’s top division after 16 years last season.
A ninth-place finished was more than creditable and they did it in style. Adding Danjuma to the ranks would add more flair to the squad and provide ammunition for Patrick Bamford up front.
He won Bournemouth’s Player of the Season and has the versatility that managers love. Able to play anywhere along the front line, he would be an asset to many clubs in the top division.
READ MORE: Leeds, Palace on alert as Spaniards clear path to bargain midfield battler
The post Bournemouth need reality check as Leeds, West Ham baulk at star’s price appeared first on TEAMtalk.