The former Manchester City, Southampton and Charlton Athletic man could reportedly make a temporary return to England in January.
Former Southampton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips could reportedly make a temporary return to the South Coast this winter.
According to the Daily Mirror, the New York Red Bulls front man is a potential loan target for Bournemouth, who are desperate to bolster their strike force once the transfer window opens after losing Callum Wilson for at least six months to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Wright-Phillips himself is said to be open to moving back to England on a short-term basis during the MLS offseason, and his form in the USA over the past two seasons suggests he could be a decent option for the Premier League strugglers.
The 30-year-old, who originally joined the Red Bulls in July 2013, enjoyed an historic 2014 campaign, hitting a league-leading 27 goals in 32 regular appearances to equal the MLS single-season scoring record.
Plenty argued at the time that his production was inflated by Thierry Henry’s creativity alongside him, but with his strike-partner retiring last December, the Englishman has proceeded to prove the doubters wrong this term, recording 18 goals and seven assists in 36 games to help the Supporters’ Shield winners progress to the Eastern Conference final.
His success has even prompted the Jamaica national team to court his services, but the former Manchester City academy product has yet to decide whether he wants to play for the Reggae Boyz.
“I need a few more weeks,” Wright-Phillips told SBISoccer.com last week after turning down a call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. “It just comes down to me. We’re in a tricky situation here with the playoffs and there’s just a lot more things that I have to think about it and talk to coaches.”
Bournemouth would likely have to pay a small sum if they want Wright-Phillips on loan for more than a month, given that he would miss at least part of the Red Bulls’ preseason, but manager Eddie Howe is also said to be looking at several other possible targets.
Emmanuel Adebayor, who is currently a free agent after being released by Tottenham Hotspur in September, is believed to be among the alternatives to the ex-Charlton Athletic man, while Queens Park Rangers ace Charlie Austin has also been linked with the Cherries in recent weeks [h/t Mirror].
Unlike Wright-Phillips, both have produced at the Premier League level, but financial demands could complicate matters.
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