EDDIE Mitchell has said the Cherries board “reluctantly” agreed to accept Blackpool’s offer for Brett Pitman, even though the deal seems far from concluded.

Cherries chairman Mitchell last night gave Pitman the green light to speak to the Premier League new boys following an eventful day in the transfer saga.

Sandwiched between Mitchell rejecting an offer and then accepting a renewed bid from the Seasiders, Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston mysteriously stepped down.

Mitchell has declined to confirm the finer details of the deal until after it has been rubber-stamped, although the Daily Echo understands it could be a package rising to around £600,000.

However, despite the two clubs agreeing a fee, Pitman could opt to stay put at Dean Court should he feel the move would not be in his best interests or if he were unable to thrash out personal terms.

When contacted by the Echo last night, Pitman confirmed he would be travelling to Blackpool this morning before politely declining to make any further comment.

The 22-year-old, who is under contract to Cherries until June 2012, is understood to be a target for several other clubs and could yet choose to keep his options open.

Explaining the club’s decision to accept Blackpool’s bid, Mitchell said: “It was a unanimous board decision. We are pleased for Brett and disappointed for ourselves.

“We negotiated as hard as we could. I wouldn’t say we’re happy with the figure but it’s a combination of two things – getting the best for the club and for the player and I think we went as far as we could.

“We felt we owed it to Brett to try to reach a negotiated settlement that works for us and is best for his future. I think we did our best and agreed to settle for a figure, providing Brett is happy. Maybe when he gets to Blackpool and has to put on his overcoat, he might come back, in a hurry!”

Asked whether funds would be given to boss Eddie Howe, Mitchell replied: “We would have to give some back to Eddie to strengthen up front and to find somebody who would keep us in the same mode as we are now.

“I wouldn’t just take the money and use it for other purposes. A large chunk would have to be made available to Eddie. It would be disastrous not to do that and would be short-changing the supporters and the club and that’s not what we’re here to do.”

Born in St Helier, Pitman earned a trial at Dean Court after scoring four times for Jersey under-18s against Cherries under-17s – as a 15-year-old.

Pitman has hit 61 goals in 199 first-team appearances and is currently the club’s ninth all-time leading league goalscorer.

Should he sign for Blackpool, he would follow in the footsteps of James Hayter and Sam Vokes and take the youth department’s yield from players in the past four years through the £1m barrier.