SIDES up and down the footballing pyramid are confirming their retained lists ahead of the opening of the transfer window – with many former Cherries left with their futures up in the air.

Two favourites from the Championship-winning side of 2015 have been released by Premier League clubs, with Harry Arter set to depart Nottingham Forest and Matt Ritchie let go by Newcastle United.

Arter joined Forest from Cherries in the summer of 2020 on an initial three-year deal, but a clause in his contract incurred an extra year after the Tricky Trees were promoted to the Premier League.

That was despite the Republic of Ireland international making just 14 appearances for Forest, all in his first season at the City Ground.

Ritchie’s time at Newcastle was far more fruitful, although the Scottish international did become a bit-part player in recent seasons.

The Gosport-born winger’s last goal for the Magpies came against his former employers Cherries in a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park in February.

In total, the 34-year-old made 215 appearances for the Toon, having left Cherries after playing 142 times in red and black.

There is another Scottish winger previously on the books at Cherries seemingly looking set to leave Newcastle this window, with Ryan Fraser returning to the Magpies after earning promotion from the Championship with Southampton.

Fraser is keen on moving to Southampton on a permanent basis after being frozen out of the Newcastle squad by Eddie Howe.

In the Championship, winger Connor Mahoney has been let loose by relegated Huddersfield Town, the former Cherry spending last season on loan in League Two with Gillingham.

Asmir Begovic was linked with a third spell at Cherries after the departure of Darren Randolph left Bournemouth needing an experienced back-up keeper, with the Bosnian out of contract at current employers Queens Park Rangers.

However, the goalie has now entered talks with the Londoners over extending his stay at Loftus Road.

“I am currently looking at options, talking to obviously QPR, and seeing what happens there,” Begovic told talkSPORT.

“It’s still pretty early in the transfer window. Nothing has been decided yet. I really enjoyed last year, the fact that I played so many games.”

Begovic’s former teammate Arnaut Danjuma is not out of contract but will play for a different team next year, his loan spell at Everton ending.

As such, the Dutchman will return to parent club Villarreal in Spain, where he signed a five-year deal after joining from Cherries in the summer of 2021.

During the 2022/23 season, Cherries attempted to loan the winger back to Vitality Stadium, but missed out as Danjuma opted to finish that campaign with Tottenham Hotspur.

That was the end of Cherries’ interest in their former player.

Speaking of former Bournemouth players currently plying their trade abroad, Joshua King is set to leave Fenerbahçe after his two-year deal expires at the end of this month.

The 32-year-old made 54 appearances for the Turkish giants across two years, although this previous campaign was heavily limited by injuries.

Back in England, Sam Vokes is out of contract at League One Wycombe Wanderers, having made 48 appearances last season at the age of 34.

Fellow academy graduates Brooklyn Genesini and Sam Sherring are weighing up their options.

Genesini has been released by League Two Swindon Town, whilst Sherring is still wanted by League One side Northampton Town, but is yet to commit to the Cobblers.

Further down the pyramid, former fan favourite Brett Pitman is yet to decide his future after a goal-laden season in the Wessex Premier League with Shaftesbury.

Pitman bagged 59 goals as Shaftesbury earnt promotion to the Southern League via the play-offs, leaving multiple local clubs interested in securing the 36-year-old’s services for next season.