Eddie Howe has done a decent job of keeping Bournemouth stable in the top flight but it might now be time for him to start thinking about taking a step further. That needs the club to spend big in the transfer window to add some quality to the squad. The Cherries have not been afraid to splash cash in the transfer market in the past, but have only signed a midfielder in David Brooks this summer.
They need to improve on certain areas of the squad and are linked with a number of exciting names recently. One player, who is now just a medical away from signing which is happening now, is the full-back, Diego Rico.
Relatively unknown to the Premier League, the Burgos born defender started his senior career with Zaragoza and spent three years in the first team, making 102 league appearances in the Spanish second division. He moved to La Liga in 2016 with Leganes and cemented his place immediately, and has 51 league appearances to his name.
Last season, he registered two goals and two assists in 26 league starts and is now an experienced defender at the highest level in Spain. A defensive-minded left-back, who loves to sit back and make interceptions just outside the box, Rico is a strong and athletic player, who is technically sound. He has a mean cross in his feet but is usually happy to knock the ball around, rarely wasting possession.
Rico is at his best near his goal, where he loves to throw himself around to win the ball back for his side. He is a hard man to beat on the wing and has troubled even the best of the stars in Spain and at 25 has also gathered loads of experience, which will help him settled down quickly in England.
A transfer target for Borussia Dortmund as well, Rico reportedly prefers a move to the Premier League and it is understood that Bournemouth have agreed on a fee of £10.7m to sign him in the upcoming days. They have also agreed to personal terms with the deal now subject to a medical.
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Howe used Charlie Daniels extensively last season at left-back but he does not have an able backup in the first team. Rico will not only cover for him but will also push him for a place in the first team, increasing competition within the squad. He is only going to improve Bournemouth’s backline and could end up being a real steal for the club in the near future.
