AFC Bournemouth chief Neill Blake is ‘delighted’ after the Premier League newcomers fought off competition from Nottingham Forest to sign Middlesbrough’s Marcus Tavernier, speaking to the Cherries website.
Well, you can’t have them all.
Steve Cooper’s play-off winners have had things their own way for much of the summer, making Stuttgart’s Belgium international Orel Mangala their 13th signing of a hectic window over the weekend while fighting off top-flight competition for the likes of Jesse Lingard and Taiwo Awoniyi.
One player Cooper won’t be getting his mitts on, however, is Tavernier. The 23-year-old playmaker has now signed a five-year deal with a Bournemouth side who snatched second spot from under Nottingham Forest’s nose in May.
Bournemouth beat Forest to Marcus Tavernier deal
“We are very pleased to have brought Marcus in,” beams Blake. “He was one of the stand out performers in the Championship last season, and a good fit with our squad.
“He has a great pedigree, tremendous energy. (He) is a versatile young player who can play a number of different positions.
“Marcus was attracting a great deal of interest. We are delighted he has decided to join us. Everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him.”
According to the Daily Mail, Nottingham Forest submitted a £10 million bid for the Leeds-born forward in July. The two-time European champions reportedly saw the younger brother of Rangers captain James Tavernier as a readymade replacement for the popular but out-of-favour Joe Lolley at the City Ground.
“We have to get on with it,” sighs Boro boss Chris Wilder, after one of the Championship’s early promotion favourites eventually accepted a £12 million offer from Bournemouth instead.
“The club did everything to try and keep Marcus. When you get down to the nitty-gritty of the move and him wanting to move, I think it just became a case of negotiating the transfer fee. (That is) above me.
“But as I say, the club tried everything they could to keep Tav and now we have to look forward.”
Nottingham Forest are not done in the market yet. Not by a long shot.
Real Betis duo William Carvalho and Alex Moreno are still in their sights, alongside Blackpool wideman Josh Bowler.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
