Bournemouth transfer rumours & targets: Real Madrid man still on shortlist

In this article, we will be bringing you all of the latest AFC Bournemouth transfer rumours & targets ahead of the upcoming window in January, which will be the next opportunity for clubs in the Premier League to make any more signings ahead of the second half of the 2024/25 season.

The Cherries made plenty of new signings in the summer window just passed, but they may feel that more arrivals are needed in order to try and break into the European spots for the first time in their history.

Indeed, Andoni Iraola’s side have collected an impressive 15 points from their opening 11 games so far this season, inflicting title-challengers Arsenal and Manchester City’s first defeats in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with back-to-back 2-0 and 2-1 victories at the Vitality Stadium, respectively, as they sit in 12th place in the table.

Nonetheless, here are some players that they have reportedly been keeping an eye on…

Bournemouth transfer rumours & targets

Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

The 27-year-old Teboho Mokoena might not be a name many are familiar with, but he is a player who can add something special to Bournemouth’s midfield. Bossing the centre of the pitch is Mokoena’s forte, and seeing as the Cherries had difficulties achieving that against the top Premier League sides during the 2023/24 season, it seems that Mokoena will remain a key Bournemouth transfer target.

As reported by the media, contract renewal talks between Mamelodi Sundowns and Mokoena are not going smoothly. This fact alone is enough for us to consider Mokoena one of coach Iraola’s primary targets.

Mokoena is surely glad his name is connected with a Premier League team, which will only make Mamelodi Sundowns’ job even more difficult. His market value may be set at only £2.1m, but his statistics speak for themselves – he is a key Mamelodi Sundowns player, and we are sure he would also be a good fit for Bournemouth.

Mokoena has made exactly 100 appearances for the Sundowns now, while he has also earned 39 senior caps for the South Africa national team. He played at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast, helping his nation achieve a commendable third place, and has scored a total of eight goals and made a further three assists for them.

Fran Garcia (Real Madrid)

Rumours have it that Fran Garcia was on the Cherries’ radar this summer. Coach Iraola was eager to sign another classy left-back, but Garcia’s £12.6m market value may have proved problematic for Bournemouth.

However, the Cherries also have the option to opt for a season-long loan. Garcia himself might actually agree to such a move, as Alphonso Davies is another name linked with a possible switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, which would make Garcia’s situation even more dire.

Garcia has only lasted the full 90 minutes in just three of his 12 appearances in total over all competitions so far in the 2024/25 season, and seems to be behind the France international left-back in the pecking order in the eyes of his manager Carlo Ancelotti. Thus, the 25-year-old Spaniard may seek a move elsewhere in order to try and gain more regular first-team football.

Besfort Zeneli, Timothy Ouma & Michael Baidoo (Elfsborg)

According to Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet, scouts from Bournemouth, as well as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Bologna, Genoa and the MLS, were in attendance to watch IF Elfsborg’s impressive 1-0 UEFA Europa League (UEL) win over AS Roma earlier in the campaign. They are reported to be following a trio of players from the Swedish side: Besfort Zeneli, Timothy Ouma and Michael Baidoo.

All impressed in the match, with Baidoo scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen as to whether the Cherries, or any of the other clubs previously mentioned, will act upon their interest come January.

Baidoo is Elfsborg’s top scorer in the 2024/25 campaign with 12 goals in total across the Allsvenskan and UEL. Ouma and Zeneli have contributed a further three goals between them across both competitions. Nonetheless, all three players could really help bolster Bournemouth’s squad as they chase down the European places in the Premier League.