Bournemouth

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is glad he has been given the all clear to ditch his mask.

Scott had to wear it after fracturing his jaw in a collision with Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings during a Premier League match on 10 May.

Speaking to BBC Sport before the Premier League Summer Series in the United States, Scott says his doctors were surprised he managed to get through all five games during England Under-21s' glorious European Championship campaign with it on.

However, that was his aim from the moment he understood what had happened.

And while he did contemplate continuing to wear it, Scott has immediately ditched it after being given the all clear.

"I got a scan the other day to see how the healing was and thankfully it has all gone smoothly," he said.

"They [the doctors] were shocked I was able to play throughout the Euros with the mask but as soon as it happened, that was the only thing on my mind - I need to be fit for this tournament.

"Because I played the whole tournament with the mask and won it tournament, part of me keeps thinking I should carry on wearing it.

"But it is definitely going to be easier not wearing it. It was tough at times because of the heat in Slovakia. It was slipping it all over my face and at any point I was looking to take it off when I could.

"I am looking forward to playing my first games without the mask and hopefully I can play a bit better than when I was wearing it."

Come back to this page later on Thursday for more from Scott

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth ended in ninth last season to equal their best Premier League finish - but midfielder Alex Scott feels the campaign as a whole was a disappointment.

When the Cherries won 3-1 at south coast rivals Southampton on 15 February, it took them to fifth in the table, which would have taken them into the Champions League.

But the following week's defeat by Wolves at Vitality Stadium started a sequence of underwhelming results, including a home loss to Ipswich, that generated just two points from six games.

With Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup - Bournemouth were beaten by Manchester City in the quarter-final despite taking the lead - the Cherries finished nine points off seventh spot and a place in Europe for the first time in their history, which owner Bill Foley had targeted before the campaign began.

"Ultimately, it was one of disappointment," Scott told BBC Sport when asked for his feelings about the season as a whole.

"We had so many chances to get over the line with results here and there.

"Obviously, it is the Premier League and anyone can beat anyone, but we really believed we could make a push and go for the European places.

"We dropped points and didn't finish as strongly as you need to in order to be a fighting team in Europe.

"It is one of those things we will learn from and we will be ready this season to push for it again."

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Tottenham are willing to pay the asking price for Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi. (Caught Offside, external)

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Sunderland have had a £23m bid rejected for Lille defender and Bournemouth target Bafode Diakite, with the Ligue 1 club demanding a fee in the region of £34m for the 24-year-old Frenchman. (L'Equipe - in French, external)

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Last season, Chelsea sent Djordje Petrovic on loan to Strasbourg, where he was voted the club's player of the year.

But, rather than welcoming the goalkeeper back into the squad as competition for Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, the Blues have instead sold the Serb to Bournemouth for £25m, banking an £11m profit on what they paid for him in 2023.

One of the reasons Chelsea loaned Petrovic to their partner club was to help him improve his ability on the ball, BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella reported in March.

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Though Petrovic's passing stats did not notably improve during his year in France, his distribution over the past 12 months was still more accurate than Sanchez, who posted lower figures for pass accuracy and long pass accuracy. Cup keeper Jorgensen, meanwhile, finished with a better record than both.

Where Petrovic stood out with Strasbourg was in his shot-stopping. He prevented almost 10 goals more than an average goalkeeper would save, based on the expected goals on target model. That total was the sixth highest in the top five European leagues last term.

Sanchez, however, excelled as Chelsea lifted the Club World Cup, where he won the Golden Glove given to the tournament's best goalkeeper.

The Spaniard made several key saves in the final against Paris St-Germain, also impressing with some pin-point passes to set up attacks. Despite occasional shaky moments in 2025-26, he seems likely to remain number one for the new season.

West Ham are stepping up their move for Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier. (Football Insider), external

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Slobodan Maricic
BBC Serbia journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The baggage of Serbia goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has been checked in for several different destinations all over Europe in the past couple of months, according to the transfer gossip.

He was linked with Galatasaray, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco, as well as several Premier League clubs like Leeds, Southampton and Aston Villa.

But, after a standout season at the French side Strasbourg, where he was on loan from Chelsea, he has landed in Bournemouth.

The strong interest in the 25-year-old from the city of Pozarevac, in central Serbia, comes as no surprise to football fans back home - Petrovic is living the best of his days.

Last season, he helped Strasbourg finish seventh and was rewarded with a place in the Serbia squad, and he now has seven caps.

Saving a penalty in the World Cup qualifier against Albania – a match charged with a lot of tension, because of politics and history – even earned him national hero status.

The German media compared him with Manuel Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers of the century, due to their similar height, footwork and pass accuracy.

His former coaches commend Petrovic's physical attributes, noting his strength in the air and willingness to come off the line, particularly noting his effectiveness in one-on-one situations and at stopping penalties.

Up until his move to Chelsea in 2023 from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, he was a relatively unknown name in Serbia.

He came up through Cukaricki, a club from the capital Belgrade, that has a notably smaller fanbase than the two Belgrade giants, Red Star or Partizan.

His move to the United States did not do much for his visibility, but he did win a place in the MLS All-Star squad before his £12.5m switch to the Premier League made him the most expensive Serbian keeper in history.

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New Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic says he wants to "play at the best level" after completing a £25m move to the club.

The 25-year-old joins from Chelsea on a five-year-deal and will link up with the squad before their pre-season tour in the United States.

Petrovic has made 23 Premier League appearances but felt out of favour at the Blues and spent last season on loan at Strasbourg.

The Serbia international had an impressive campaign with the Ligue 1 side, helping them to finish seventh and secure their place in the Uefa Conference League while also being named as the club's player of the season.

"I'm really happy to be here. I came to Bournemouth because I want to grow and I want to play at the best level," he told club media.

"Together with this club, with these facilities, I think we can achieve it. I want to help the team get the results, improve every day and be a better player."

Bournemouth's president of football operations Tiago Pinto added: "The opportunity to sign a player of his calibre in the market was one we had to take, particularly given how vital the position of a goalkeeper is.

"We have been looking for the right talent to invest in within this area of the pitch and Djordje has very impressive qualities, as well as a lot of experience for someone who is still young."

Petrovic replaces Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season with the Cherries on loan from Chelsea, but switched to Arsenal at the start of July when his £5m release clause was triggered.

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Bournemouth have released computer-generated images to illustrate how they plan to expand Vitality Stadium.

The new images show how the proposed redevelopments to increase the stadium's capacity to 20,000 will fit in with the existing ground and its surroundings.

The plans include demolishing the current South Stand and building a new grandstand with 7,000 seats, infilling the stadium corners to create an additional 1,440 seats, plus extending the North and East Stands to bring in another 2,900 seats.

Bournemouth also plan to create a new fan zone in the south west corner of the ground, between the new South Stand and the current Main Stand.

The Cherries hope to have the stadium redevelopment completed for the start of the 2027-28 campaign.

Councillor Rich Herrett, cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations said: "The Council recognises how valuable AFC Bournemouth is to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with its continued success on the pitch, and their support for our local communities.

"We have a positive relationship with the football club and have enjoyed like many, their recent successes on the pitch. We look forward to working with them on their plans to invest in the area and improve the matchday experience for fans at Vitality Stadium, via the appropriate planning and democratic processes."

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Elsewhere, Andoni Iraola's side started their pre-season preparations on Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 win over Hibernian in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the club's training centre.

The Cherries have another behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Bristol City on Saturday, 19 July.

Bournemouth are holding out for £59m for 22-year-old centre-back Illia Zabarnyi, who is wanted by Paris St-Germain. (Independent), external

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Mark Travers has completed a permanent move away from Bournemouth after joining Everton.

The 26-year-old spent nine years with the Cherries after joining the academy from Irish side Shamrock Rovers in 2016.

He made 82 appearances for the club, producing a player-of-the-match performance on his Premier League debut against Tottenham in 2019 as a teenager, and also played a key role in Bournemouth securing promotion from the Championship in 2021-22.

Travers struggled for game time last season and spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough.

In a statement, the club said: "Everyone at AFC Bournemouth would like to extend their thanks to Mark for his efforts and contribution during his nine years at the club."

Image source, AFC Bournemouth

Bournemouth have unveiled their home kit for the 2025-26 season.

According to the club, the design "reimagines the club's iconic red and black stripes with a distinctive twist".

That twist, the Cherries statement continued, is "a subtle sand-textured pattern woven into each stripe, inspired by the golden shores of Bournemouth's coastline".

Rate the new kit here

All 20 clubs earn a share of Premier League prize money. The amount each club receives depends on their league position and number of televised matches.

Prize money consists of UK and international merit broadcast payments, equal shares, commercial revenues and facility fees.

All clubs received a central commercial payment of £7.9m and equal shares from UK (£29.8m) and international (£59.2m) revenues.

Clubs are also paid a facility fee for matches broadcast on domestic TV. Liverpool had 30 of their 38 league matches televised - more than any other club.

1st: Liverpool - £174.9m

2nd: Arsenal - £171.5m

3rd: Manchester City - £165.5m

4th: Chelsea - £163.7m

5th: Newcastle United - £160.2m

6th: Aston Villa - £159.3m

7th: Nottingham Forest - £152.5m

8th: Brighton - £145.1m

9th: Bournemouth - £143.4m

10th: Brentford - £138.9m

11th: Fulham - £135.5m

12th: Crystal Palace - £136.1m

13th: Everton - £131.8m

14th: West Ham - £130.9m

15th: Manchester United - £136.2m

16th: Wolves - £123.1m

17th: Tottenham - £127.8m

18th: Leicester - £116.9m

19th: Ipswich Town - £111.1m

20th: Southampton - £109.2m

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Young Bournemouth defender Archie Harris says he is "happy" with his new deal and loan to Eastleigh after the "overwhelming moment" of making his first Premier League matchday squad last season.

The 20-year-old has joined the National League side on a season-long loan after signing a new contract with the Cherries earlier this week.

"I was hoping I'd get [a contract] after last season," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I thought I finished the season strong and the loan move is similar to be honest. Eastleigh had enquired about it towards the end of last season so I was having to wait and wait, but I'm happy to get it over the line and happy to be there.

"On a personal basis, it was a tough start to the season with injury but to come back from that and make my first Premier League squad was a great moment alongside a few of the other lads."

Harris was named on the bench for the Boxing Day game against Crystal Palace and the trip to Fulham that followed, both times remaining an unused substitute.

"The day before is when it all gets announced and it was an overwhelming moment for me and a really proud one for me and my family," he added.

"Then, with the under-21s to finish the season with 14 wins in a row and come up just short of the title was tough, but overall a very good season for us for our first campaign in that league."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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Bournemouth owner Bill Foley hopes to increase the Vitality Stadium's capacity to approximately 20,500 according to plans submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

It currently holds 11,286, so the increase of up to 9,215 seats will occur from demolishing the existing South Stand to build a new grandstand and by expanding the North and East stands.

The plan - available on the BCP Council planning website, external - also shows how additional seats will be made by infilling all four stadium corners.

Bournemouth agreed a deal to buy the stadium back from Structadene in April, 20 years after they sold it to the property company to avoid going into administration.

Foley was keen to redevelop the stadium as building a new stadium would have taken five or six years.

There are also plans to modernise the facility with new perimeter fencing and relocated turnstiles, a new ticket office and fan zone and additional hospitality space.

Bournemouth plan hold a public exhibition at Vitality Stadium on Monday, 21 July between 15:30 and 20:00 BST.

Bournemouth are aware of Everton's interest in goalkeeper Mark Travers, who boosted his reputation with an impressive loan spell at Middlesbrough in the Championship last season. (Sky Sports), external

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The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.

The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.

The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.

Read more about the show here

Watch the first two episodes of Last Pundit Standing now on BBC iPlayer