LEE Bradbury insists Cherries are still in the race to sign sought-after defender Adam Smith.

The Cherries manager confirmed that the Dorset club had put a “good offer” to the right-back in an attempt to seal his signature.

Bradbury expects Smith to make a decision on his future next week and says Cherries remain keen to secure his services following an impressive loan spell last term.

The 20-year-old, who has also been linked with Burnley, Reading and Ipswich Town, starred after joining Cherries on a temporary basis from parent club Tottenham Hotspur.

He played a key role in Cherries’ pursuit of promotion and scored once in 42 appearances for the Dean Court outfit.

Out-of-contract Smith, who is likely to command either a nominal fee or compensation should he decide to leave Spurs, is pondering his next move after receiving numerous offers, including one for a new deal at White Hart Lane.

Bradbury told the Echo: “We put an offer to Adam Smith – a good offer as well – to make him a Bournemouth player.

“I would like to think the time he had at the club – which he said he enjoyed and he enjoyed the way we played – (means) that it is definitely an option for him.”

Bradbury added: “He is really good going forward and has a lot of energy.

“He plays high up the pitch – the same as Rhoys Wiggins – and causes opposition teams a lot of problems with his energy, fitness levels and quality.

“He is a player we would certainly like to keep, hence the offer we put to him was decent.”

In an interview with skysports.com, Smith said: “Spurs have offered me a new contract but I’m not sure whether I want to stay there or not because I want to be playing regular first-team football and reserve football is not really going to cut it.

“Going out on loan again is an option for me but I’ve had offers from other teams about making a permanent switch, so I’ve got a big decision to make between now and the start of pre-season.”

Meanwhile, Cherries could be set to miss out on fellow former loan star Donal McDermott. The out-of-contract playmaker has been offered a new deal by Manchester City and is understood to have attracted interest from Cherries’ League One rivals Huddersfield.

Bradbury said: “Donal has also had some interest from some Championship clubs and it looks like he is going to one of those.

“It looks like we might have lost the battle to sign him but I don’t think he has signed for anyone as yet, so we are not out of the race.”