Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell has confirmed that defender Rhoys Wiggins today handed in a transfer request following interest from Watford.

Mitchell claimed Wiggins declared his desire to leave Dean Court after Cherries turned down two bids from Championship outfit Watford.

Mitchell said Watford's offers were "miles away from our valuation" and that he had no intention of selling players.

With the loan window due to close tomorrow at 5pm, the Hornets could come back in for Wiggins ahead of the deadline, with a view to making the deal permanent in the summer.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo this evening, Wiggins gave his reasons for wanting to leave.

He said: "I just think it is a good opportunity and I have got to do what is best for myself."

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY AND REACTION FROM BOSS LEE BRADBURY, WIGGINS AND MITCHELL, SEE TOMORROW'S ECHO.