Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth are close to securing the services of Liverpool winger Ben Doak for an initial £20m plus £5m in add-ons.
Happy with the expected arrival? Where do you see him fitting in to your attack? And what else do the Cherries still need in the transfer market?
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has spoken to BBC Radio Solent about his recovery from his fractured jaw and what it was like playing in a full and half mask.
Scott, who was caught by the elbow of Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings in May, went on to be an influential player for Englands Under-21s at the victorious European Championship.
"The pain was ridiculous," said Scott. "I tried my best to keep going in the Villa game and managed to get to half-time but I just couldn't breathe properly.
"It was the best thing to come off but I didn't know it was broken until the scans after the game.
"It was completely cracked, so a pretty bad break in the end, and I had surgery two days later.
"They put a disc in to keep it in place, so the week after it was massively swollen. That was probably the toughest part and what the lads were chuckling about the most.
"At that point I did think it was going to be tough for me to be in the Euros squad, or even play another game that season.
"It was brought up that previous players who had done it had worn a mask and that's when I wanted to get it done as quick as possible."
For the Euros, Scott wore a specialised mask that protected his jaw as it continued to heal - but it wasn't the most subtle.
"At first, it was the main joke of everything," Scott added. "England had another mask made for me and then after a few days they just got used to seeing it.
"I saw people bantering me about it online but it had to be done as I had to do it to play in the tournament.
"It was probably too early to play but I was pushing for it. If I hadn't worn a mask it would have been impossible to play.
"It was tough at first, especially the full mask that I wore for the last game of the season because I couldn't really see anything out of it and it was falling all over my face.
"The one England had done really helped, I think if I'd have had the full face one then I would have been terrible at the Euros!"
Scott says he has had another scan on his jaw since returning to Bournemouth for pre-season and "it's pretty much healed now".
Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Ken: Great win but, as is often the case, we made it difficult for ourselves. Ekitike, Salah, Gakpo and Wirtz were excellent - all our defenders had an off day, though. Quality saw us through, but not a top performance yet. Early days and what an exciting prospect for the new season. We badly miss Diogo Jota - may he and his brother rest in peace forever. YNWA.
Geoff: There is some 'bedding in' to be done, and the absence of Ryan Gravenberch was noticeable, but a good home win against a tenacious and well drilled Bournemouth side. Lots to look forward to in the season ahead.
Mark: First game of the season, three points. Team adapting to each other. No worries.
Ben: Yet again, this display showed two things - Liverpool's attacking prowess and their defensive frailties. Being caught on the break for both Bournemouth goals showed the need for a new (and faster) centre-back. Although having Isak would be nice, we don't want to keep relying on our attackers to bail us out every time (plus Ekitike, so far, seems to be showing that Isak may not be needed). If the game has been against the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea or Arsenal it would likely have been a different result. If we don't sign a decent centre-back before the transfer window closes then it will be much harder to defend our title.
Max: I've thought for ages that Chiesa didn't get enough game time, and he will be food for thought over the next few weeks for Slot. Apart from the defending, it was a great game - entertaining, emotional and gripping.
Steve: Disjointed, less energy and far too much exposure in defence. As a life-long supporter, I'm seeing performances that are too much like the barren years. We need urgency, control and that 'get it all together ' approach. Hope we have time.
Bournemouth fans
Kathryn: I was worried beforehand but I thought we played a really high-pressing game. Amazing goals from the wonderful Semenyo against the best team in the world?! Marred by racism which was very upsetting for him. Disgusting and I'm very sorry it happened. Cherries are definitely going to Europe!
Steve: I was there with my son. It felt cruel to lose it so late but we look like a team with the potential to develop and improve.
Paul: Looked at lot better than I thought they would with so many key players going. Unfortunately, defensive errors and deflections prove costly. Everyone had us down to be returned to the Championship but I think we have proved we are more likely to be nearer Champions League.
Lee: Made a good fist of it considering a number of players who would have likely started were out injured. We looked a threat going forward and caused Liverpool problems. Sadly, you can't win a game of football conceding four goals, but I'm very optimistic after seeing that display that the mighty Cherries will have another good season. Atmosphere in Anfield was electric - I was so pleased to have been there in person.
Charl: Excellent performance full of energy and desire to not be beaten. Every player helping each other to contain a formidable opponent. Tactically superb set-up. Clumsy defending cost us but that will come.
Charles: Good start for the Cherries, expected to lose but did enough to be respected. Small details and a bit more luck could have seen a positive result. Semenyo was immense. Hopefully a tighter midfield with Cook and Christie back will see the best of the team. Defence are working hard to gel. It will get better.
Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth were presented with the toughest possible start to their Premier League campaign as they faced Premier League champions Liverpool at their fortress.
And it came after a summer of upheaval, with the defence that performed so well last season ransacked - Dean Huijsen sold to Real Madrid, Illia Zabarnyi to Paris St-Germain and Milos Kerkez in opposition here at Anfield - raising £147m in the process.
For all that, this was an excellent performance from Bournemouth that left them so close to an outstanding point before they fell victim to a typical late Liverpool surge.
And at the heart of it all was the outstanding Antoine Semenyo, who told experienced referee Anthony Taylor about being racially abused by a member of the crowd in the first half and responded with a superb display and two fine goals.
Bournemouth showed the strength of character and confidence manager Andoni Iraola has instilled in his team and they refused to take a backward step, even pressing for a winner at one stage.
Iraola has replenished his side with left-back Adrien Truffert and central defender Bafode Diakite, signed from Lille for £35m. Talks are also under way to bring in talented Scotland forward Ben Doak from Liverpool.
This, on top of what Bournemouth delivered at Anfield, will give Iraola heart despite this late disappointment.
Did you know?
Antoine Semenyo has scored 50% of Bournemouth's Premier League goals at Anfield (three of six). Indeed, he was the first visiting player to score more than once at the ground in the league since Leandro Trossard scored a hat-trick for Brighton in October 2022.
Bournemouth have taken just one point from their nine Premier League games at Anfield (D1 L8), an average of 0.11 per game. Only at Manchester City do they have a poorer average on the road against a side they have visited five+ times in the competition (zero points in eight games).
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Liverpool's performance
What did you make of Bournemouth's display?
Come back to this page on Saturday to find a selection of your replies
Arne Slot has handed out four Premier League debuts as Liverpool begin the defence of the title they lifted in May.
Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike all joined the Reds in the summer window.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike.
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha.
Andoni Iraola has named his first Bournemouth starting XI of the season with three debutants included.
Djordje Petrovic, Adrien Truffert and Bafode Diakite all make their competitive Cherries debuts.
Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Truffert, Senesi, Brooks, Scott, Evanilson, Adams, Smith, Tavernier, Diakite, Semenyo.
Subs: Dennis, Araujo, Soler, Kroupi, Hill, Traore, Billing, Winterburn, Rees-Dottin.
Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist
Champions Liverpool kick-off the new Premier League season at Anfield against a Bournemouth side in a transitional period. BBC Sport analyses some of the key themes going into the opener.
"We need time to adapt", said Liverpool boss Arne Slot last weekend after he fielded four new players in their Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace.
The champions have splashed £265m on summer signings to enhance an already strong squad, with the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz all starting last Sunday.
Despite the loss, the performance was largely positive and Ekitike and Frimpong's goals felt like a sample of things to come. It was the first time that two Liverpool debutants have scored in the same competitive game since Craig Bellamy and Mark Gonzalez both did against Maccabi Haifa in 2006.
Slot was understandably disappointed by his team's false start at Wembley, especially as they twice relinquished the lead, so a return to fortress Anfield for the season opener is welcome.
The Reds lost just one Premier League home game last season – a 1-0 reverse to Nottingham Forest in September – and won 46 of a possible 57 points on their own patch. Two of their four home draws came after they had already clinched a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in May.
'Iraola can at least call upon star striker Evanilson'
A Friday night visit to the champions would probably not be top of Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola's wishlist when the fixtures were announced, particularly as he is without four of his first-choice back five.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, central defenders Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi and left-back Milos Kerkez have all left the club for pastures new, with the latter set to line up for Liverpool this week. The Cherries have banked more than £144.5m from those deals – making a £90m profit – but replacing them will not be easy.
Iraola can at least call upon star striker Evanilson who remains at the club after a solid first season. His is also dangerous on the road, with seven of the Brazilian's 10 league goals coming at opposition grounds.
Of players to score 10 or more top-flight goals last term only one netted a higher percentage away from home – his team-mate Justin Kluivert.
Bournemouth can also take confidence from their record on the opening weekend. The south coast side haven't started a league season with a defeat in any of the last seven years, winning three and drawing four.
We will have to see how all of Liverpool's new players settle in, and also, sub-consciously, the effect the sad loss of Diogo Jota will have on their squad - it is very difficult to measure that.
Bournemouth have sold most of their defenders, but I still think they will be fine this season because they are so well-organised under Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool signed one of them, Milos Kerkez, but their boss Arne Slot is still worried about his backline by the sounds of things, because of the goals they have leaked in pre-season.
So, I would expect some goals in this one, especially because Bournemouth are always quite attack-minded.
The Cherries will score at Anfield, but Liverpool will score more.
They have made a few changes to their team but they are the champions and they are at home. They will get over the line, and Mohamed Salah will get off the mark, although I am not sure I am going to get him into my Fantasy Premier League team.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
We have looked into the age profile of Bournemouth's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.
The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.
Bournemouth had a young, raw squad last season. There were nine players aged under 24, with four playing more than 50% of the campaign's minutes.
This summer three of those have been sold for big money - all of them defenders - and Andoni Iraola has brought in two more yongerh players.
Iraola appears to like a younger squad and balances it with those arguably in their peak to nurture and grow talent.
They are the ones that ultimately bring in the most money when cashing in.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Premier League striker Glenn Murray says Bournemouth face a "rebuilding" process this season given their defence "has been decimated" this summer.
The Cherries kick off the Premier League season with a trip to Anfield on Friday to face the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola will be without his recognisable back-line but Murray remains optimistic that they will be OK this season because of who they have at the helm.
"Bournemouth were one of my favourite teams last season because of the way they played," Murray said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Their high press meant they would get up against anyone they faced, regardless of whether the opponents were bottom or top of the league.
"Iraola has been a real breath of fresh air but I do feel for him after the way their defence has been decimated. It's going to be a difficult season for them now.
"The good news is that they have good money to spend and their frontline and midfield is pretty much unchanged.
"There is a rebuilding process for the back four but they have made some good signings.
"They had an injury crisis last year and Iraola proved he can still do it and get results. Everyone thought they would fall apart but they didn't.
"He found a way so that shows you how good of a manager he is."
Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
New signing Bafode Diakite is "physically ready" after training for two days with the squad but Iraola has yet to decide whether the centre-back will feature on Friday.
Ryan Christie has been in training this week after "two or three set-backs" from a groin injury but Liverpool comes too soon, meanwhile Justin Kluivert is still recovering from a calf injury and is also out of contention alongside Lewis Cook.
Dango Ouattara is likely to travel to Merseyside but his future at the club remains doubtful while Luis Sinisterra's expected move away to Brazil is "more advanced" but neither deal is closed.
Bournemouth are "not where they want to be" regarding transfers but the Cherries boss confirmed that there will be some "important movements" before the market closes and hopes his team will be able to adjust to them.
On facing Liverpool he said: "We are the first game and a lot of people will be watching us. It's not the place you want to start your season, at the home of the champions. Also after they lost the other day [in the Community Shield] despite controlling and they probably want a reaction."
He added: "It's a big test for us and in the beginning it's going to be emotional with the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. But we will focus on our job, try and create some chances, keep believing and give them a hard game. Let's try to go there and give them a surprise."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Bournemouth defender Joe Partington is hesitant about the replacements the club has signed for Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, and Illia Zabarnyi.
Kerkez, Huijsen and Zabarnyi were integral players for the Cherries last season which saw them finish as high as ninth in the Premier League. However, all three of them departed for big money moves this summer to Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris St. Germain, respectively.
Partington believes the club's recruitment department will deliver with quality replacements but chasing European football this season might be a step too far for the Cherries.
"Do I think this back four will be the back four that emulates the success the ones last season had? I don't think so," Partington said on the Cherries: Unpicked podcast.
"I think they will need to sign two [central defenders] and those two will need to do as well as Zabarnyi and Huijsen did last season to sustain this level that Bournemouth are hoping to achieve.
"They weren't far off the European places last season, and if that is the level they want to get to, then I fear the back four we are looking at right now isn't capable of that, albeit they are still good players.
"It is good business, but make no mistake, you are losing three huge players and massive contributors to last season's success. But it is good money, and Bournemouth have had a habit of investing the money well, on players that are unknown and turn out really well.
"Hopefully they can recreate that. Historically, the recruitment team at Bournemouth have done really well especially in the recent past.
"Fingers crossed they can find another couple of gems."
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:
15) Bournemouth
Last season: Ninth
What to make of the Cherries now the defence that served them so well has been ransacked?
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga - on loan from Chelsea last season - has gone to Arsenal, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and Illia Zabarnyi to Paris St-Germain.
As with clubs like Brentford and Brighton, Bournemouth's structure is sound so they will prepare for such eventualities, but that is a tough rebuild, even for a manager as talented as Andoni Iraola.
He cannot afford any more key departures and at least there has been strengthening, with much resting on keeper Djordje Petrovic - signed from Chelsea - and highly rated France left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes. Bafode Diakite will be expected to fill one of the central-defensive berths after his £34.6m capture from Lille.
Do not expect Bournemouth to live in fear of the drop but it would be another sign of Iraola's quality if he can once more direct them into the Premier League's top half.
