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Bournemouth should be looking for a replacement for Steve Cook to partner the ever-reliable Nathan Ake at the back, especially after Cook played a very culpable role in the recent 4-0 home loss to Liverpool.
What’s the word, then?
Well, 27-year-old Cook has been one of the Cherries best players since turning a loan move from Brighton into a permanent one back in January 2012, for just £150,000. He will undoubtedly go down as a cult hero at the club, mostly thanks to his last-gasp winner against Liverpool in 2016 to win the game 4-3, having been 3-1 down.
Alongside the highly-rated Dutchman Ake, Cook has been a dependable presence and always pops up with crucial goals. However, with expectation growing on the South Coast as a European place becomes a real possibility, there is definitely need to find an upgrade on Cook, even more so with only 33-year-old Simon Francis as back-up on the right-hand side of central defence.
Additionally, seeing as Eddie Howe broke the club’s transfer record at the time to bring 23-year-old Ake to the club, it would make sense to justify that signing with a player of equal quality alongside him.
Who could they get in?
One player who has slipped under the radar on the European stage, but is always a solid, reliable performer is RB Leipzig star Willi Orban. The Hungarian international has been a rock at the back for the Bundesliga side for many years now, gaining valuable Champions League and Europa League experience whilst with the German side.
His 6′ 1″ frame allows him to be fairly quick, but also a dominant presence in the air, with his ability to conquer his aerial duels a key part of his game.
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Notably, the 26-year-old also enjoys playing the ball out from the back and looking to build the play, something which Cherries’ boss Howe encourages from his defenders as part of his system.
Should they manage to sign him, it could well be another huge transfer coup for Bournemouth.
Do you think the Cherries should sign Orban? Have your say down below…
