Ritchie, Russell, Gradel transfer triangle

The task of picking up a new striker to bolster AFCB's squad has taken a new dimension after Derby County have registered an interest in Matt Ritchie. Whether Eddie Howe is so keen on Johnny Russell to allow Matt Ritchie to leave the club the other way is clearly something that AFCB would not have suggested, but the Cherries' pursuit of additional forwards has only seen Callum Wilson come to the club over the summer. Meanwhile, Junior Stanislas has rivalled Matt Ritchie for a starting place and no doubt Steve McClaren has noted this and wants to see if he can prise one of the Cherries star players away.

Matt Ritchie - a deadline day target for Derby County.

The ball is now in AFCB's court and I expect them to turn down Derby's request politely. While Johnny Russell may be a player that would add power to the forward line I don't see Eddie Howe wanting to reduce the number of wingers he has any further. The mixture of Ritchie, Stanislas, Pugh and Fraser has marked Bournemouth out as a team that is very expressive on the wings and with wing backs that cause plenty of problems in attack. 

With Carlton Cole having been Howe's first target, it may be that Johnny Russell is one of several other strikers that AFCB have been looking at. Two bids have failed though for Russell and McClaren has really tested the water to see how keen AFCB really are to secure his services. Eddie Howe has stated the he is keen to keep the squad together, but if there is another winger he knows he can bring in to replace Ritchie (like Max-Alain Gradel of St Etienne - who has been linked with AFCB over the summer), the switch could just be on. It is not a player swap that I think many AFCB fans would be pleased about though, as Ritchie has been a great signing since his move from Swindon Town. 

The transfer deadline ends at 11pm tonight so start biting those nails! UTCIAD!

Sign up for the September Newsletter

Email Address 

First Name

Last Name

Email Format

• html
• text