Cats’ hopes of Cherries double signing boosted
BUT LANDING WOODS AND JEROME COULD PROVE DIFFICULT TASK
BOURNEMOUTH boss Eddie Howe has confirmed Sunderlandlinked Marc Wilson and Lewis Grabban are expected to leave the club this summer, boosting Simon Grayson’s hopes of signing the pair.
However, Brentford boss Dean Smith is insistent they have received no offers for another Black Cats target Ryan Woods.
The Wearsiders also now face competition for Cameron Jerome from Fulham.
Grayson is desperate to add new faces to his squad with less than a fortnight to go until they kick-off the new campaign by hosting Derby.
He admitted funds to pay for players are short and will need to be financed by player sales.
Bournemouth duo Wilson and Grabban are both expected to leave the Vitality Stadium this summer and should not cost too much.
Premier League clubs can only register 25 players over the age of 21 and neither Wilson nor Grabban have been given squad numbers ahead of the new campaign.
Asked about their situation, Cherries boss Howe admitted both were likely to leave.
He said: “I think there is a good chance both players may look to leave the club in this window.
“I have to make some difficult choices and work with the players I feel are going to participate during our season.
“Unfortunately, I am going to have to make some tough calls.” Wilson was linked to West Brom earlier this summer.
The former Stoke City man can operate in defence or midfield, bringing versatility to the side.
A move to the Hawthorns fell through and Tony Pulis now covets Middlesbrough star Ben Gibson, but Lamine Kone is another player in his thoughts.
Grabban, meanwhile, spent last season on loan at Reading.
The striker, who can also operate out wide, scored four goals and made four assists in 22 appearances.
Fellow relegated outfit Hull have also been credited with interest in the 29-year-old.
Elsewhere, Brentford boss Smith is adamant reports of an imminent exit for highly-rated midfielder Woods are false.
The 23-year-old has been linked with Sunderland in a £2m deal but the Bees’ boss says they have received no offers.
Responding to a question about Woods’ future, he said: “We have had no offer from him so I would put them back where they were as rumours.”
Grayson is also still searching for a striker to lead Sunderland’s fight for promotion.
The Black Cats boss has already added James Vaughan this summer but beyond that has just academy products Josh Maja and Joel Asoro on the books.
Maja in particular has impressed during the summer friendlies but Grayson is still keen to add another striker who he believes he can rely on to regularly find the back of the net.
Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack is a player they have enquired about and he was left out of the Villans’ pre-season tour last week.
Norwich City’s Jerome is another potentially cheaper option.
Sunderland and Nottingham Forest were linked with the 30-yearold last week before Forest beat Sunderland to the signature of United’s Daryl Murphy.
Jerome netted 16 goals for the Canaries last season, taking his Championship career tally to 74.
However, Fulham are believed to have entered the race and are preparing a £3million move.
They say Norwich are willing to sell the striker this summer.