Bournemouth Fan View: The good, the bad, and John Terry

As an AFC Bournemouth fan the January transfer window isn’t anywhere near as scary as it was when we were in the lower echelons of the football league pyramid.

We no longer live in fear of having every single decent player we own nabbed by a bigger club to help pay off our mounting debt for one – because we don’t have any debts to pay anymore (unless you listen to recent unfounded rumours about our financial situation of course…but I won’t go into that).

There’s always the chance we could have players poached though – that threat will be ever present – but we now have the means to bring in new players as well. So with that in mind I’ve created a guide as to who we’ve been linked to so far this transfer window – and what I make of each rumour.

John Terry

Movement: In from Chelsea on loan

My verdict: Most would say they aren’t a huge fan of John Terry as a person – and I would be one of those people – but as a player his skill as a defender is not in doubt. Despite being a tad creaky in terms of age he could lend our defence some much needed experience of how to not concede loads of goals – but it could also benefit Terry personally to see how Eddie Howe works as a manager. The Chelsea man has made no secret that he’d like to get into coaching once his playing career is over after all.

Although this rumoured move seems to have died away in the last week or so I can certainly see the logic in it if it does end up materialising.

Max Gradel

Movement: Out to Watford on a permanent deal

My verdict: Gradel will always be loved by most AFC Bournemouth fans – he has a persona and obvious affection for the club that is hard not to be won over by. Sadly he’s never been consistent enough in his latest stint for AFCB, and it’s hard to see how he’ll ever force a way back into our starting eleven. With that in mind it wouldn’t surprise me if he leaves the club in this window – and I would personally wish him all the best if he did depart.

Mamadou Sakho

Movement: In from Liverpool

My verdict: Liverpool have shafted us on transfers recently – Brad Smith and Jordan Ibe have been terrible signings from our point of view considering their performances thus far. So I can’t see us putting forward the supposed twenty million pounds it would cost to get the inconsistent Sakho on board at Bournemouth.

Add in the rumoured eighty thousand pounds a week wages and the possibility of the Frenchman unsettling the dressing room and this is a move I can’t see happening.

Morgan Sanson

Movement: In from Montpellier

My verdict: This enterprising French midfielder could be just the answer to who we can find as a Jack Wilshere replacement once the Arsenal man’s loan ends – and this move subsequently has my strong approval. Sadly he seems to be on his way with Marseille, but hey – let me keep believing for now.

Lys Mousset

Movement: Out, either permanently or on loan

My verdict: The young French striker has been making discontented sounds for much of the last month – and by that of course I mean he’s been allegedly displeased with the amount of minutes he’s spent on the pitch. He hasn’t been making sad whale noises or something.

To be honest I think a move to a Championship club on loan would be ideal for Mousset too – it would allow him to become more accustomed to the English a game. It helped Ryan Fraser (who went to Ipswich last season) a great deal after all. I don’t think a move to a French side (as rumoured) would be as helpful though, and to me that would simply indicate he would be on his way out of Bournemouth permanently soon enough.

Nathan Aké

Movement: In from Chelsea

My verdict: Yes, yes, a million times yes. This is probably just wishful thinking, but if we can somehow tempt Aké back to the south coast it would be a huge coup. If rumours are to be believed we haven’t even made an attempt to sign him though – which is madness if true. As our fans sang against Arsenal (before we collapsed late on) – “Eddie, Eddie, sign him up!”

Callum Wilson

Movement: Out to Newcastle United on a permanent deal

My verdict: I keep flip flopping on this move. Before the Arsenal game this month I was willing to let Wilson go – he seemed disinterested in playing for Bournemouth any longer, and if rumours were to be believed had his eye on moving up north to play in front of much bigger crowds at Newcastle (he’d also be pocketing a much larger wage).

After he caused Arsenal no end of problems I’ve had second thoughts though, and I am now very uneasy about the prospect of losing him – especially since we only really have Josh King, the misfiring Benik Afobe, and the unproven Lys Mousset as back up striking options.

Stephen Caulker

Movement: In from QPR

My verdict: Even though we need defenders like a doctor needs a stethoscope I don’t think bringing in Caulker is necessary – especially as he seems to have a knack of being relegated with almost every Premier League side he’s joined. Superstition should always play a large part in every transfer move after all…

Lewis Grabban

Movement: Out to a range of Championship clubs

My verdict: I sadly think Grabban was brought in simply to plug a temporary gap in our squad for the second half of last season – and nothing more. So it’s probably fair to let him go and get regular football in the Championship if that’s what he wants, and we can get a decent fee for him of course.

Lionel Messi

Movement: In from Barcelona

My verdict: Yeah I’m just pulling your leg. Still, I got your attention right?