Burnley and West Ham United are reportedly keen on Bournemouth winger Max Gradel.
According to The Sun, Burnley and West Ham United are vying for the loan signature of Bournemouth’s out of favour winger Max Gradel.
Gradel, 29, was Bournemouth’s big-money signing upon the club’s promotion to the Premier League in the summer of 2015, but suffered a frustrating first season at the club, as he suffered knee ligament damage in the first month of the Premier League season.
Bournemouth’s Max Gradel in action with Preston North End’s Chris Maxwell
After six months on the sidelines, Gradel returned in February of this year, ending last season with one goal and two assists, with many expecting him to really kick on this term.
However, it’s been a dismal campaign for the Ivorian winger, as he’s yet to start a Premier League game, and has played just 91 minutes of top flight action across five substitute appearances.
His two starts have both come in the EFL Cup, and his lack of football appears to have not only put his place in the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations squad in doubt, but also triggered interest.
Max Gradel celebrates scoring for Bournemouth with manager Eddie Howe
The Sun report that Burnley are particularly keen to take Gradel on loan in January, as manager Sean Dyche looks for the cutting edge to make sure that the Clarets avoid relegation from the Premier League.
It’s added that West Ham are also keen on Gradel, with Slaven Bilic desperate for attacking reinforcements after summer signings such as Gokhan Tore, Sofiane Feghouli, Jonathan Calleri and Simone Zaza failed to produce anything of note.
Gradel not only has Premier League interest, but it’s added that Marseille and Nantes are also keen to offer the winger a loan deal until the end of the season, with Bournemouth seemingly bracing themselves for offers.
A speedy winger with an eye for goal having hit 17 goals in his final season for Saint-Etienne, Gradel may fancy a move to London with West Ham at the London Stadium, but a move to Burnley would almost certainly provide him with more playing time, meaning he could face a big decision on where to spend the rest of this season.
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