Bournemouth are weighing their options to sign Manchester City midfielder Fernando. Eddie Howe is planning to add significant players to the side and has expressed his interest in the defensive midfielder.
The 29-year-old has not been the first choice and has rarely been used by Pep Guardiola in the last season. The player has made only five Premier League starts in the recently concluded season and will be allowed to leave the club if a substantial offer comes.
He arrived at the club for around £12m in 2014 but City are ready to let him go if they recoup half of that amount. Fernando has ample Premier League experience and could prove to be a very handy signing for the Cherries. Howe has been digging deep in the transfer market for a midfielder and Fernando might be that player.
He has never been able to nail down a permanent place in the starting lineup and has only been used as a bit-part player. Guardiola has been sharpening the squad as he has been clearing the players he doesn’t want next season.
The likes of Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy left the club and a host of players are expected to get the sack. Newcastle have also been monitoring the player as Rafa Benitez’s side are reportedly the frontrunners in the race.
The Magpies are ready to prise the player for as little as £5m as Benitez has been pondering over all options available to him. Manchester City might just agree to the deal so the Cherries have to act very fast.
Bournemouth had a very fruitful season under the guidance of Howe and would be trying to replicate the form in the next season. Eddie Howe has a very energetic bunch of players but wants to add some experienced players to the side too as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Fernando will be an upgrade surely to what he has currently and his tenure with City and under Guardiola would have made him a much better player. Howe could use his experience to steer his team through the next campaign. However, Pep has used him a number of times as a backup and the player has repaid the gaffer’s faith with some excellent performances.
Howe would be hoping for a smooth passage but the likes of Newcastle would be trying to secure the services of the player. City wants as much as £8m for the player but Bournemouth will be hoping to negotiate the price.
