Bournemouth

Back of the Net podcaster Sam Davis has been speaking to BBC Radio Solent about Bournemouth confirming the signing of striker Alvaro Rodriguez from Spanish club Elche, in a deal worth up to £25.7m.

"The one thing that really struck out for me was the fact he's six foot four. So that is a modern centre-forward profile that I think we could do with. It'd be great to get a bit of height, but it sounds like his main and best position is centre forward and he excels as a central reference point and attack as well," he said.

"Evanilson, the one thing that maybe let him down last season were his numbers. But when you ask many a Cherries fan, they'll have been so impressed with all of his performances.

"His hold-up play was brilliant, got loads of assists. You know, the way we play, it is really pivotal to have him in the side, and I think that's probably testament to Evanilson that he kept his standards so high without having that competition. So hopefully the introduction of Rodriguez can help him maybe push higher.

"Whilst Rodriguez doesn't have any direct European experience playing himself, playing for Madrid, I think seven appearances for them, he's obviously been in and around a squad that does.

"So he'll have experience of travelling. Hopefully, he can get some minutes in the Premier League for us and show Marco Rosa exactly what he can do, and then maybe get a few games in Europe as well."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here

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New Bournemouth signing Alvaro Rodriguez says his "dream has become reality" after making the switch to the Premier League from La Liga side Elche.

The striker has signed a five-year-deal with the Cherries on his 22nd birthday.

"It feels like a great privilege to be here," Rodriguez said. "I've always wanted to play in the Premier League and now, on my birthday, that dream has become reality.

"It has been a dream since I was a child. When my agent told me Bournemouth were interested, I couldn't believe it.

"Everything I've experienced so far has prepared me for this next chapter, and now I want to keep improving and show what I can do."

Bournemouth head of football operations Tiago Pinto added: "We're really pleased to strengthen our attacking options with such a talented young forward.

"For someone so young, Alvaro already has a good amount of experience at a very high level and arrives after playing an important role for Elche in La Liga last season.

"We believe he has outstanding pedigree and enormous potential, while also being capable of making an immediate impact as we prepare for an exciting campaign that includes European football."

Bournemouth are eyeing a move to sign Hearts and Scotland Under-16s goalkeeper Finlay Jamieson. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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When the World Cup ends, regardless of who wins, we'll still have loads of great content every day as we build up to the new Premier League season.

We're already working on some exciting new things for 2026-27.

As well as all the fallout and reaction to the tournament, we'll quickly shift back towards club football, with pre-season coverage and all the latest transfer gossip and stories.

BBC Sport and teams across BBC Nations and Regions cover all 20 Premier League sides and we have dedicated club reporters, who will be travelling to bring you behind-the-scenes insights from pre-season tours.

We'll also have live pages for selected pre-season matches, as well as in-depth features and storytelling, giving you the latest updates before the new campaign.

Once the World Cup ends, some of the standout players will be hot property in the transfer market, with top clubs chasing their signatures.

Our reporters, including senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, will be breaking the big transfer stories on our website and app.

We'll also have our daily transfer gossip column, wrapping up all the rumours from across the football world.

For fans of World Cup Predictor, a new weekly game will be launching immediately after the tournament, with five fixtures a week to predict the outcomes of. You'll be able to build up your streaks and share your results with friends and family.

Our quizzes will also continue to be available to play so you can test your knowledge of the beautiful game.

Our new Shorts tab in the BBC Sport app will be the home of sport videos with content throughout the week from your club, including explainers, pundit analysis, interviews and behind-the-scenes content. We'll also be starting to include more reaction from fans so you can see the latest hot takes and debate the biggest talking points from your club.

Live pages are going to get bigger and better with more interactive elements, more conversation and improved functionality. They'll have BBC Radio 5 Live audio commentaries for the Premier League and Champions League, as well as live video for FA Cup.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your Premier League team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications, which give you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

Read more about what content you can expect here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on which players you're most excited to see in action during pre-season.

Here are some of your comments:

Ross: It will be good to see a lot of players who didn't fit into Andoni Iraola's system given a second chance - for example, Bafode Diakite and Julian Araujo.

Kirsi: I am very excited to see Ben Gannon-Doak back on the pitch. While his play was limited because of a hamstring injury, his involvement with Scotland at the World Cup is a very promising sign. With a good pre-season, he can definitely make a good impression, get more minutes next season and potentially start.

Malcolm: Still over a month to wait but already getting excited. Looking forward to seeing Remy Rees-Dottin and hopefully he will spend more time around the first team. Would be great if Jonny Day can also break through as he's a very talented youngster. More minutes please for Gannon-Doak, Alex Toth and, hopefully, Veljko Milosavljevic too.

Robert: No one player. Just waiting to see who emerges as a goalscorer who can be sold for management.

Jon: Not a player - but Mainz, which was Marco Rose's main club as a player. Not far from Frankfurt so worth checking out in case Bournemouth play there in next year's Europa League final.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Motherwell have signed New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen on loan from Bournemouth, two years after he made a reported £2m move to the Premier League side.

The 24-year-old, who was part of his nation's 2026 World Cup squad but did not feature, caught the attention of the English top-flight club after a breakout spell at Wellington Phoenix.

However, he is yet to play for Bournemouth and has spent the past two seasons out on loan, firstly at Auckland before a stint at Lechia Gdansk last term.

He played 24 times in Poland's top tier, suffering relegation as Lechia finished 16th in the 18-team division.

Paulsen arrives following fellow goalkeeper Calum Ward's move from Fir Park to Queens Park Rangers and joins international team-mate Elijah Just in Lanarkshire.

"I've got a great feeling coming in here," Paulsen said. "Obviously, I've been able to speak to Elijah about the club, and everything he has said has got me excited about what's to come.

"I've had a wonderful summer with my country at the World Cup and feel fresh coming into this season. We have some huge matches just around the corner, and we all need to be ready for the competitive action.

"I've spoken to the manager and have been so impressed with the way he has spoken to me. There is a clear vision, and I hope I can help the team achieve that."

Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson added: "Alex had a hugely successful spell in Australia and New Zealand, where he received a number of personal accolades. He was also part of teams that liked to play a certain style of football, and they achieved their targets.

"With Calum moving on, it was obvious that we needed to recruit in this position. We see Alex as a very similar type of goalkeeper in terms of his strengths."

Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic remains a target for Premier League clubs with Bournemouth, Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland all keen on the 23-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina international. (Corriere dello Sport via Football Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Pre-season is just around the corner and the Premier League returns in less than 50 days.

Here is Bournemouth's pre-season schedule - with kick-off times in BST.

• 24 July v St Pauli (Saalfenden, Austria) - 15:00

• 30 July v Augsberg (Saalfenden, Austria) - 15:00

• 4 August v Genoa (H - behind closed doors)

• 8 August v Real Betis (A) - 19:00

• 15 August v Mainz (A) - 14:30

Which players, including young prospects from the academy, are you most looking forward to seeing in action?

Let us know here

Image source, Getty Images

Plenty of players have made names for themselves at this World Cup, from goalkeepers like Cape Verde's Vozinha and Paraguay's Orlando Gill to New Zealand midfielder Elijah Just.

But though they might not have been familiar to fans, the extent of modern scouting means clubs all over the world will already have known about many of them – so how have their heroics at the tournament affected their standing in the game, and their value in the transfer market?

More than the Score's Mani Djazmi is joined Ben Littlemore from Transfermarkt, one of the world's foremost football databases. Lutz Pfannenstiel, sporting director at Aberdeen, also shares his footballing knowledge in today's episode.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland senior reporter

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Scotland ended a 28-year wait for a place on international football's biggest stage, but there was disappointment following a group stage exit.

"It was an amazing experience," Bournemouth midfielder Christie, who played in all three group matches, told BBC Scotland.

"Seeing all the Scotland fans over there was incredible. The atmosphere was electric.

"The first 72 hours afterwards, you feel a bit gutted because we were desperate to get out of the group and it wasn't to be.

"But I had such a good time with that bunch of boys that have been together for so many years now.

"When you finish, you're just hungry for more.

"I'm desperate now to go to more tournaments, just thinking when's the next one?"

Read more from Christie

Barcelona have shortlisted Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi, but could face competition from Paris St-Germain, Arsenal and Tottenham. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Dundee manager Steven Pressley is looking to add six more players to his squad and is keen to take trialist defender Owen Bevan on loan from Bournemouth. (The Courier - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Tottenham are preparing an £85m offer for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi. (TalkSport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on which free agents Bournemouth could target this summer and whether there is one player the Cherries are linked with but you hope they never sign.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: Unlikely any of those mentioned would move to the south coast, but I'd happily take Dusan Vlahovic. The big Serb started well at Juventus but seemed to lose his way.

David: Those 'free' agents come with wage demands that are not compatible with the Cherries' strict wage structure. And besides, they're all too old!

Robert: No players signed this coming season. Our priority should be a large new stadium - Dean Court is 'boys' size'. A new one, perhaps in Canford or the New Forest for better access, is needed. Let's have a stadium worthy of Premier League football.

Drew: We already have Fraser Forster - what more can you want from a free transfer?!

Alek: Julian Brandt on a free would be amazing.

Image source, Getty Images

We're now well into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention - especially with the summer transfer window open since 15 June.

Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?

Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?

This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...

Tell us the players you want, with your reasoning, here

Enjoy the World Cup across BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

From live TV coverage to highlights, analysis and reaction, our dedicated team will ensure you don't miss a kick of the biggest World Cup yet.

And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.

This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.

This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.

• Simple steps to set up live lock screen match updates from the World Cup

• How to get Premier League score updates

A new predictor game has been introduced to cover this year's World Cup, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from every match.

The game also features streaks, so make sure to check in each day and make your predictions.

• Play World Cup Predictor here (UK users only)

Ever wanted to see a World Cup match from every angle? How about a full-pitch tactical view? Or even see the match through the eyes of a player?

Well, now you can with Fifa World Cup 3D Experience, which is a UK-first that is only available on BBC Sport.

The interactive game experience gives viewers more choice to explore the match both in real time, highlights and full-match replays.

• Head here to get started

Finally, here are some more handy links:

• How to follow the World Cup across the BBC

• All the highlights and best video

• Beat the time difference and catch up on everything without any spoilers

• Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

• Play our World Cup quizzes

We have been asking you questions about Bournemouth all summer. Our latest is a two-pronged query...

First, is there anyone on the free transfer list you think makes sense or is realistic as a signing?

Mohamed Salah, John Stones, Solly March, Fabinho, Leon Goretzka, Dusan Vlahovic, Jadon Sancho, Daichi Kamada and Yves Bissouma are just some of the names currently available - and you can see a list here of the 15 free agents involved at the World Cup.

And secondly, is there a player Bournemouth are constantly linked with but you hope they never sign? If so, who and why?

Get in touch with your views here

Spanish football expert Juan Castro says expected Bournemouth signing Alvaro Rodriguez can score "a lot of goals" for the club but needs to "progress and upgrade" to succeed in the Premier League.

The Cherries have agreed a deal worth £27.5m for the 21-year-old striker, who scored seven goals for Elche last season.

"It's not a big star in the Spanish league, but he is a striker who can score a lot of goals for Bournemouth," Castro told BBC Radio Solent.

"People can expect from him a lot of fight and a lot of goals. He can fit in that system, in that team, he can replace any player. Of course he has to upgrade a little bit from his performances in La Liga.

"He has to progress to success in the Premier League. He has promised a lot at Real Madrid initially, then Getafe, and in the last season Elche, but in my opinion he has to progress and step forward to succeed in the Premier League.

"He is a great header of the ball but he is also a specialist in creating space for himself inside the box. He is selfish enough to create his space between the defenders in the box and to score goals but he is more known as a good header."

• Hear more insight on Rodriguez above or listen on BBC Sounds here

Meanwhile, first-team coaches Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper are confirmed to have left the club to follow Andoni Iraola to Liverpool.

On their exits, former Cherries defender Warren Cummings said: "Incredible move for both of them and shows what Andoni thinks of them.

"For those two I'm delighted and I don't think it's a move they can turn down."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Roma and Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs, with Bournemouth, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Newcastle United and Sunderland all asking about the 25-year-old's availability. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Keito Nakamura has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, including Bournemouth, Everton and Fulham with his impressive performances for Japan at the World Cup.

The 26-year-old winger has an agreement in place with his French side Reims that would allow him to leave for a suitable fee - understood to be about £21.5m - after the club failed to win promotion to Ligue 1 last season.

Everton and Bournemouth have asked what it might take to sign Nakamura with his entourage but would need to attackers to leave before making a move.

Fulham, who look likely to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager, are also keen.

Nakamura spent last season playing in the French second tier, despite interest from clubs including Spanish club Villarreal and Turkish giants Besiktas, with offers reaching up to £15.5m.

The versatile forward finished as Reims' leading scorer with 14 goals and then established himself as Japan's first-choice left winger at the World Cup after Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma's was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Nakamura scored one goal, provided an assist and was named in Opta's team of the group stage. Japan pushed Brazil in their last 32 match before the five-time champions scored a late winner to knock out the Samurai Blue.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose has succeeded Andoni Iraola, with Bournemouth targeting a striker and a left-sided centre-back this summer.

The Cherries are now in talks to bring in Elche forward Alvaro Rodriguez for an initial fee of about £18m, rising to £25m with add-ons, and any striker signing would provide competition and support for Evanilson.

The club are also open to selling Turkey forward Enes Unal for the right price.

Bournemouth are hoping for a more stable summer than last year, when three of their first-choice back four and their starting goalkeeper departed.

Several clubs have expressed an interest in midfielder Alex Scott, who is reported to be valued at about £80m.

However, club sources insist he is not for sale, despite enquiries from Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Instead, Bournemouth hope Scott will sign a new contract on improved terms, potentially including an agreement that would allow him to leave in the future for a predetermined fee, similar to the arrangement that preceded Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City for about £65m in January.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to be part of Andoni Iraola's backroom staff at Anfield.

Both Elphick and Cooper worked with Iraola at Bournemouth and will now leave the Cherries to join the Spaniard as first-team coaches at Liverpool.

Bristol City and Burnley were interested in Elphick for their managerial vacancy but the former centre-back has chosen to continue a relationship with Iraola that started in 2023.

Pablo de la Torre joins as an assistant coach, with this now the fourth time he has worked with Iraola at a different club.

Tom Webber - who also worked with Iraola at Bournemouth - will join Liverpool too as first-team tactical coach after a decade in performance analysis at Bournemouth.

After the sacking of Arne Slot his assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst left, while Ruben Peeters, who was the first-team performance coach, also departed. Slot's first-team tactical analyst, Roderick van der Ham, confirmed in a LinkedIn post this week that he was also leaving the club.