WITH the transfer window now open, clubs up and down the country, and across Europe, will be looking to bolster their squads ahead of the February 1 deadline.
While in previous windows Cherries have splashed the cash and made significant additions, things are expected to be somewhat quieter this time around.
Chairman Bill Foley and head coach Andoni Iraola have both reiterated the club’s stance that they want to keep hold of the star players with additions only likely if there are departures.
That said, some exits are expected, with a host of fringe players likely keen for more game-time elsewhere.
Here is a rundown of some of the players linked with moves away this month.
Dominic Solanke
The name on most people’s lips, at least in the national media, is star striker Dominic Solanke.
The 26-year-old is enjoying his best Premier League campaign in front of goal, netting 12 goals in the first half of the season.
Despite Solanke having signed a new long-term contract at Cherries as recently as September, his name is being touted as a potential option for a host of clubs, including Arsenal.
Foley recently insisted Solanke would not be sold in January, although Iraola has been a bit more pragmatic.
Speaking last week, Iraola said: “You ask me about the market. Obviously I don’t want to lose Dom Solanke. It is very easy for me to say it.
"But every time the market opens, as coaches we don’t know what is going to happen. We cannot have anything guaranteed."
Solanke’s teammate Ryan Christie added: “I have told him to turn his phone off. He’s not going anywhere!
“With the performances he’s putting in, I am sure talk will start to rise. It’s only natural.
“But I am probably not the person to ask. The club will deal with it. The most important thing is that he looks like he’s pretty happy playing his football here right now.
“He’s level-headed - you can see that in the way he plays, his work-rate off the ball and stuff like that.
“Number nines are judged on how many goals they score, but if you look at his overall performances, the work-rate he puts in for us shows the kind of character he is.”
Lloyd Kelly
One player whose future is less certain is Lloyd Kelly.
The defender’s contract expires in the summer of 2024, with currently no signs of him extending his stay.
Kelly has said his focus is purely on this season, with it understood there are currently no concrete talks between both parties over a new contract.
With the January window now open, clubs outside of England are free to talk to Kelly to try and tie him down on a pre-contract agreement to move in the summer, as happened with Jordan Zemura and Udinese last year.
Serie A clubs, including AC Milan, have been linked with interest in Kelly.
Meanwhile, Cherries turned down a bid from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer for the former Bristol City man. Spurs are among of host of English clubs linked with a move for him this month.
The stance on Kelly has generally been the club would not be looking to sell in January and instead let him go for free in the summer.
Discussing Kelly last month, Iraola said: “It is a little bit similar (to Solanke).
“I don’t want to lose any of our best players. Lloyd Kelly is one of our best players, for sure. But you never know what is going to happen every time the window is open.”
Asked if he wants him to see out his contract, Iraola added: “Of course. I want to keep our best players. We will see what happens.”
Speaking in November about the 25-year-old, Iraola said: “I value him very highly. It’s normal that he is associated with other big clubs, because I think he has a good level.”
Kelly has been restricted to just 10 appearances this season, largely due to injury, and he is still out of action currently due to a hamstring problem.
Kieffer Moore and David Brooks
It does seem likely some players will leave the club this month, at least on loan, due to a lack of game-time.
Iraola has openly said he expects some knocks at his door asking for moves.
Among those linked with moves away are Wales duo Kieffer Moore and David Brooks.
Cardiff City have very publicly courted Moore all season, while Southampton and Leeds United are being touted as possible destinations for Brooks.
Another factor to add in is Wales boss Rob Page expressing his desire for his players to go out and play regularly ahead of March’s Euro play-offs, with the Dragons still hoping to reach the summer’s finals.
Iraola was tight-lipped when asked about Brooks last week.
He said: “It is not about one individual situation. It’s a matter sometimes of what they think.
“David the other day (against Fulham) came on and played very good minutes.
“Some players probably are not getting the minutes they want.
“They have to discuss with the club and take the best possible option for everyone.
“Sometimes one will leave, because all think it is the best thing. Sometimes they will stay.
“But right now, before the market opens, I cannot and I will not speak about individual situations.”
With Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations, Brooks may well be afforded more game-time at Cherries in the coming weeks.
He has made 15 appearances this season, mostly off the bench, featuring for 412 minutes and scoring two goals.
Meanwhile, speaking after scoring at Crystal Palace last month, Moore told the Daily Echo: “It’s been a tough season up to this point for me personally, game-time wise.
“I wouldn’t ever come to a club and just be happy to be part of the squad, never really starting.”
Moore, who has not been part of the matchday squad on occasion this term, has started just one competitive game under Iraola and played 152 minutes across 10 matches.
Cherries were happy for Moore to leave in the summer, as they tried to get Leicester City’s Patson Daka in as a replacement, but the deals fell down late on deadline day.
Discussing Moore last month, Iraola said: “I think there are certain situations we will have to analyse in January.
“He is valuable for the team. I think he can help us in different situations. But right now there is really strong competition with Antoine and Dom.
“It has not been easy for him, for sure. We will have to analyse what is better for everyone.”
Mark Travers
Another player who may well be keen to get back out on loan is Mark Travers.
A key man during the 2021-22 promotion campaign, Travers lost his spot in the team to Neto in August 2022 and has never regained it, aside from a spell when Neto was out injured.
To get more game-time, the goalkeeper joined Stoke City in the summer on a season-long loan and was impressing for the Potters.
But with Neto picking up an injury and Darren Randolph unwell, Travers was recalled early and provided backup to Andrei Radu.
Captain Neto then returned to fitness and took his spot back, with Travers an unused substitute for every fixture since.
Due to league rules of only being allowed to play for two clubs in one season, should Travers feature in the FA Cup on Saturday, it would then mean his only option should he leave again would be to go back to Stoke.
They were keen to make that deal happen, but that was under former boss Alex Neil, who has since been sacked and replaced by Steven Schumacher, leaving Travers’s future in the air.
Asked in November if Travers could be loaned out again, Iraola said: “Those are decisions we will have to make in January. I think right now all the keepers are fighting for the position.
“We are working with Gareth (Stewart) and Neil Moss every day. They are the ones who are more responsible let’s say. We can see them fighting for position.
“It is not like I decide one and there we go. Every week they have to keep fighting, because we can make different decisions.”
Current loanees
The January window always allows clubs the chance to recall players and either keep them or send them on elsewhere.
Another moving part in Travers’s future could be what happens with Radu.
The Romania international is on loan from Inter Milan and has featured five times.
Cherries have an option to make the move permanent, but there are some reports the 26-year-old could be considering asking to cut short his deal to move elsewhere for more minutes, with clubs in Romania said to be interested. It is understood, however, nothing is imminent on that front.
Owen Bevan has returned to Cherries from Cheltenham Town, as he continues to recover from an injury. He could end up going back to the Robins later in the month.
Meanwhile there appears to be a strong possibility James Hill could be recalled from his spell at Blackburn Rovers to be part of Cherries’ squad.
While he has been a key player for Rovers, Cherries are light in numbers at the back with Ryan Fredericks, Kelly and Milos Kerkez all currently injured.
There has also been some speculation regarding the futures of Luis Sinisterra and Jaidon Anthony, who completed a loan swap to and from Leeds United on deadline day.
Anthony has struggled for game-time at Elland Road.
It seems unlikely any changes would be made for Jamal Lowe, who is at Swansea and approaching the end of his Cherries contract, or Will Dennis, who is first choice keeper for Kilmarnock.
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