FOR the second year in a row, it was another manic January transfer deadline day at Cherries.

It was always expected to be a busy month, following the takeover of the club at the end of last year, with new owner Bill Foley promising funds would be spent to try and stave off relegation.

After a slow start to the month, Dango Ouattara came in for around £20million from Lorient and made an instant impact on his debut against Nottingham Forest.

Three more players then came through the door before deadline day in backup goalkeeper Darren Randolph, versatile forward Antoine Semenyo and loanee left-back Matias Vina.

In 2022, Cherries signed five players on deadline day to push their bid for promotion from the Championship.

And while the numbers were not quite as great this time around, the drama did again go to the wire.

The club shelled out around £45million (albeit £21m of it to be paid in the summer) to sign Illia Zabarnyi and Hamed Traore.

There was hope to add a third player on the day, potentially a domestic loan deal, but no player could ultimately be found. Oliver Skipp was a player of significant interest, but Tottenham Hotspur opted not to let him leave.

A host of other players were linked with moves to the club over the window, with some moves getting closer than others.

A deal was reached between Villarreal and Cherries for Nicolas Jackson to join the club, for around £20million.

However, upon closer medical examination, Cherries opted against sanctioning the move as Jackson would be unavailable for longer than first thought.

Nicolo Zaniolo was another player Cherries looked to bring to the club. The saga swung both ways, but eventually no deal could be reached.

The Roma man is said to have told his club he did not wish to play for them anymore. His preference was reportedly a move to AC Milan, but they were unable to match Cherries’ bid.

Zaniolo then turned down the chance to join Cherries, before reportedly changing his mind on deadline day, at which point Cherries are said to have informed him they had moved on to other targets.

Former favourite Arnaut Danjuma was another player of interest, after it became clear Villarreal were happy to let him leave on loan.

Cherries were among a host of clubs who spoke to the Dutchman, before he ultimately decided Everton would be his destination. However, at the 11th hour, he switched focus and instead joined Tottenham on loan, going on to score on his debut.

Another name who reportedly turned Cherries down was Sheffield United’s Iliman Ndiaye, while the likes of Hugo Larsson of Malmo and Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel were also linked during a crazy month.

In terms of outgoings, Cherries were never looking to see any of their star names depart.

Philip Billing was tentatively linked with a move to Valencia, but the Daily Echo understands no approach or bid was made for the Dane.

Jamal Lowe, Emiliano Marcondes and James Hill all headed out on loan earlier in the month.

Gavin Kilkenny cut short his Stoke City loan and instead headed to Charlton Athletic until the end of the season.

Ben Pearson and Siriki Dembele both emerged as potential departees on deadline day, as Cherries looked to trim their squad. They eventually joined Stoke City and Auxerre respectively.

INS: Dango Ouattara (Lorient), Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Matias Vina (Roma, loan), Illia Zabarnyi (Dynamo Kyiv), Hamed Traore (Sassuolo, loan).

OUTS: James Hill (Hearts, loan), Jamal Lowe (QPR, loan), Emiliano Marcondes (FC Nordsjaelland, loan), Will Dennis (Slough Town, loan), Gavin Kilkenny (Charlton Athletic, loan), Siriki Dembele (Auxerre, loan), Ben Pearson (Stoke City, loan).

Cherries squad -

Goalkeepers: Mark Travers, Darren Randolph, Neto, Cameron Plain.

Defenders: Ryan Fredericks, Jack Stephens, Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham, Adam Smith, Jack Stacey, Marcos Senesi, Jordan Zemura, Illia Zabarnyi, Matias Vina.

Midfielders: Lewis Cook, David Brooks, Jefferson Lerma, Ryan Christie, Joe Rothwell, Marcus Tavernier, Junior Stanislas, Philip Billing, Hamed Traore.

Forwards: Dominic Solanke, Dango Ouattara, Kieffer Moore, Antoine Semenyo, Jaidon Anthony.