Have the Cherries spent big enough this summer?

There is a fine balance to get right between overspending and spending big enough to compliment a squad and reach the target set for a new season. In AFC Bournemouth's case it is a massive job to work out how the squad can be improved while not paying silly money to keep up with many of the other Premier League clubs that have similar ambitions to the Cherries in that league. 

It was a bit of a shock to see the Cherries pay £8 million for a defender over the summer. It was perhaps more of a surprise as the other signings were free transfers or in Josh King's case would be finalised through a tribunal. Obviously we do not know what wages are being paid out now that the club is trying to attract players to Dean Court for the most important season in the club's history. Yet, I am one who is pleased that AFC Bournemouth have not lavished big fees left, right and centre as the grim days without any money are all too recent in the memory banks. In a way the club is lucky that it has experienced such hard times and come through them, but it's not an experience I would want any club to attempt to repeat. It could have been a very different outcome.

Looking at the spending of other newly promoted clubs over the summer it is Norwich that seem to have been the least active. Having brought in Youssouf Mulumbu from WBA and signed Graham Dorrons on a permanent contract the Canaries have since gone quiet. Of course, they only spent one season in the Championship and may feel that their squad is already at that level.

AFCB are getting ready to go again.

Meanwhile, Watford have been more like AFCB in trying to bolster numbers and quality. Etienne Capoue's signing  from Spurs is thought to be in the region of £3.25 million and they have signed Sebastian Prodl from Wereder Bremen, Allan Nyman from Udinese as well as Valon Behrami from Hamburg who will have all dented funds at Vicarage Road. But hanging on to Troy Deeney and signing Matej Vydra on loan from Udinese are also big statements. Giedrius Arlauskis from Steaua Bucharest was a free transfer so they are also seeing if they can get some bargains. Even this week though they have added further to their squad with Jose Jurado from Spartak Moscow in midfield for an undisclosed fee and Miguel Britos from Napoli on a free transfer.

So are AFCB the best placed of those that have come up from the Championship? It is hard to say but like Norwich and Watford keeping hold of the main first team players that did a good job last season is critical and as long as there are no late bids for any of the Cherries players who they need to keep hold of the team will go into the new season with a lot of belief. AFCB probably could have spent more but sometimes you have to have some faith in those that have got you to this level. Progression is what AFCB should seek not just big shop window purchases that would be just as happy playing for any other club that can pay good wages.

The injury to Harry Arter could yet mean more business is necessary for AFCB and Aldene Guedioura of Crystal Palace tipped as a possible new recruit, by the Surrey Mirror and Skysports.