Bournemouth

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We asked for your views on the Cherries signing 19-year-old Rayan from Vasco da Gama.

Here are some of your comments:

Kathryn: Rayan, Mandas and Toth! I am speechless! Brilliant news!

Chris: Trust the manager and his back room team. What an exciting team we've got!

André: AFC Bournemouth's recruitment in recent years has been very fruitful, unearthing real gems; players with seemingly massive potential, and then developing and adapting them into our style of play and overall club ethos.

Nigel: Can't wait for Saturday!! And a signing like this will hopefully increase the chances of Iraola staying for another season of progress.

Terry: Sounds a really sound buy, good scouting again, sadly will sell on to a bigger club in a couple of years, but for now, welcome to the cherries family Rayan, we will cheer you on and give you a song, future legend.

Charl: Bournemouth latest signing Rayan is highly ambitious and our chairman deserves a lot of credit for trying to support a brilliant manager, by ploughing money into an exciting prospect. Pinto has been a great "signing" this club is in good hands, now get Jimenez on a permanent deal and all is well.

Bob: Why a forward? League position and goal difference clearly indicate defence is a major problem. A bottom 6 scramble for 3 months I think!

Malcolm: Another potential gem signing. Super excited to see what he can bring to the squad under the development of the training staff. A possible forwad position behind Evanilson would make sense, whether left or right. Thanks to the recruitment dept for their hard work in getting the deal over the line.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel says the video assistant referee (VAR) was correct to step in for Bournemouth's penalty at Brighton on 19 January.

Amine Adli went to ground after trying to go past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the 27th minute.

Referee Paul Tierney booked Adli for simulation but the VAR, Jarred Gillett, said there had been contact by the keeper on the Morocco international.

After visiting the pitchside monitor Tierney changed his decision to a spot-kick, which was scored by Marcus Tavernier.

Charalampos Kostoulas rescued a 1-1 draw for Brighton in added time.

"For me it's not a penalty, but we have to accept people make mistakes and now we go on," said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler after the game.

"Maybe a little bit of contact maybe but for me it's not a foul."

But the five members of the KMI Panel unanimously backed the VAR, saying Verbruggen "clearly makes high contact on Adli's leg".

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Bournemouth are interested in signing Inter Milan defender Luis Henrique.

The 24-year-old's availability came up during talks to sign forward Rayan from Vasco da Gama this week.

There remains some uncertainty whether the move happens amid competition from other clubs and with the Cherries having already completed three deals in January, so under less pressure to agree terms.

Henrique has made 17 appearances for Inter Milan so far this season after joining the club from Marseille last year.

He has also played four times in this season's Champions League, including in their recent 3-1 defeat by Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

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Amid the excitement generated by Bournemouth's signing of Brazilian forward Rayan on Tuesday, there may soon be another new signing locked in for a move to Vitality Stadium.

President of football operations Tiago Pinto confirmed in his programme notes for Saturday's thrilling win over champions Liverpool – let those last few words sink in – that defender Alex Jimenez's loan move from AC Milan may soon become permanent.

Pinto wrote: "We are close to activating our obligation to sign Alex on a permanent basis.

"Alex is a player who has really grown over the last few months and that has been evident with his Player of the Month award for December, as well as multiple man-of-the-match performances."

It was reported when he joined the Cherries at the end of August that an obligation to buy would be triggered if Jimenez made 18 Premier League starts this season.

The Liverpool game was his 15th and it seems inconceivable, barring injury, that the young Spaniard will not start at least three of their remaining 15 games in 2025-26.

Fan reaction to Jimenez has gone from some initially questioning why the loan signing was needed, with three right-backs already on the books, to lauding the 20-year-old's recent performances and revelling in the passion he has showed.

With boss Andoni Iraola's options limited by a raft of injuries, Jimenez's versatility has shone through as he has lined up in wide midfield roles as well as his regular right-back position.

Playing in midfield against Liverpool, Jimenez opened his goalscoring account for the Cherries and dominated Reds left-back Milos Kerkez to such an extent that he was substituted at half-time against his former side.

And while Jimenez was picked out as a breakthrough player to watch in Pat Nevin's BBC Football Extra newsletter (as highlighted on this page earlier on Wednesday), his form has flown under the radar of much of the national media.

However, those who watch the side regularly will feel that Bournemouth have quietly unearthed another star.

Brazilian football journalist Thiago Rabelo spoke to Jordan Clark to give his insight on the Cherries' new teenage winger Rayan.

Bournemouth signed the 19-year-old from Vasco da Gama for an initial £24.7m - plus £5.6m in potential add-ons - on a five-and-a-half year deal.

Rabelo said: "Rayan is one of the most promising players of the Brazilian generation.

"I have no doubt he will cost more than £50-60m in two years."

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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If I had a favourite breakthrough player of the month I would have to go for Alex Jimenez at Bournemouth.

The young Spaniard has had a nomadic career via Real Madrid and AC Milan but the 20-year-old has finally found his feet.

‌Against Brighton during the week, he was my man of the match and scored against Liverpool during another fearless eye-catching display.

‌Bournemouth fans already know but very soon I suspect everyone else will be super impressed by the classy full-back-midfielder-winger.

He is a special talent currently flowering before our eyes. Watch him!

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

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New Bournemouth signing Rayan says he hopes to "give the fans a lot of joy" after completing his move from Vasco de Gama.

The 19-year-old forward has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the club for an initial £24.7m with a further £5.6m in potential add-ons.

"Rayan is a player we have followed closely and who has already shown impressive consistency and maturity for his age," said Cherries president of football operations Tiago Pinto.

"We believe he has enormous potential, and Bournemouth is the right environment for him to continue his development and make an impact.

"I'm pleased that he chose our project as the one he committed to and we're very excited to have him as part of our team, as we continue to reinvest in the squad."

Rayan scored 20 goals in 57 appearances in all competitions for Vasco da Gama during a breakout 2025, and has scored twice for Brazil's under-20 side after previously scoring eight in 14 games for the under-17s.

"I am very happy and very honoured to be here, especially with the sporting project they developed for me," he said on the move.

"I'm extremely happy. It's a club that develops a lot of talents, so I'm very happy to be here and hope to give the fans a lot of joy."

Cherries fans, what do you make of the signing? And where will Rayan fit into Andoni Iraola's attack?

Let us know here.

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Bournemouth's latest signing Christos Mandas has said there "feels like a magical atmosphere between the players and the fans" at the club.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper has joined the Cherries, initially on loan for the rest of the season, from Lazio for a 1.5m euros (£1.3m) loan fee and have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for £16m.

If they opt out of the permanent deal, they will need to pay an extra £860,000.

"It's an amazing feeling to be a part of this club. I feel so proud. It's a dream for me to come here and I'm really, really happy," Mandas, who has two caps for Greece, told Bournemouth club media.

"From the start, when I knew Bournemouth were interested, I knew that I wanted to come here.

"I like the way the team plays, so it is the right move for me to come here."

Mandas has made 33 appearances for Lazio since joining in 2023, but had only made one start in the Coppa Italia this season.

Bournemouth's head of football operations, Tiago Pinto, added: "We're excited about the impact he can make as he brings a sense of maturity and composure, while also continuing his development as a player."

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

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Bournemouth have found a way to end their rotten winless period by now winning two of their past three games, against a couple of the so-called 'big six' in Tottenham and Liverpool.

So, can Andoni Iraloa's men have a better second half of the season than the first?

It's something they rarely do, and something that Iraola has in fact never managed as a head coach. While he struggled for a win after his arrival on the south coast in 2023, the Cherries still managed 25 points in the first half of that season, with only 23 in the second.

Their last campaign also saw a slight drop-off at the turn of the year, as, despite managing an impressive 30 points at the halfway stage, garnering 26 in the second half meant that Bournemouth fans had to say goodbye to any European hopes.

The difference may only seem minimal, but maybe Iraola's high-energy and aggressive approach is always likely to result in fatigue, injuries and an inevitable drop off?

It's certainly a theme that the gaffer would like to put an end to, with all three of his seasons at Rayo Vallecano also showing the same patterns, as did his short spells with Mirandes and AEK Larnaca respectively.

Compounding this issue is the big loss of our top scorer and key man Antoine Semenyo this month, so you would be fair in thinking it could well repeat itself.

But, Cherries fans may want to think twice this time around as, despite Antoine's departure, the club have recruited and look set to sign more this window, plus will be hopeful that some crucial players return from injury.

Ending this particular narrative may be a challenge, but it's certainly one that both Andoni and Bournemouth will fancy themselves achieving.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Nigel: The Cherries had to dig deep for that win. They seem to find something extra when the chips are down - injuries and player departures working against them. The fact that Andoni Iraola chose to bring on a striker in the last few minutes, when most managers would try and protect the draw, sums up the ethos of this team.

Malcolm: This result has been coming. Recent performances have been solid and decided by fine margins. We don't complain about injuries, we just get on with the job with what we have. A brilliant team performance to a man. Happy days!

Mark: Absolutely superb siege mentally and some outstanding performers bearing in mind we have eight first team players out injured. Never say die attitude and the passion to play for the team and manager stands out.

Clive: A brilliant performance by an under strength team that never give up. Players like James Hill and Alex Jimenez have shone when called in and Smudge played a good 90 minutes.

Charl: Super performance from the whole team. Marcos Senesi was outstanding, alongside Adrien Truffert and Lewis Cook. We still wasted too many chances, and our corners need a total rethink, but we played without fear. Excellent so more of that please.

Liverpool fans

Tim: We are a bang average side, which even the most loyal fan must admit. Even the mighty Virgil van Dijk is showing his weaknesses. Without Hugo Ekitike up front we look toothless. He looks some player, though. Credit to Bournemouth for going for the win. After all that money we spent it is a case of going backwards to go forwards, but we need Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk replacements.

Simon: Same old, same old. Lots of possession but little end product. I don't understand why Salah never gets substituted when he's doing nothing? I can't see us finishing top four unless there's a massive improvement.

Anthony: Liverpool looked leggy and predictable. Slow in build-up and no willing runners into the box. Just a poor all round performance. Talk of tired players from a manager that consistently plays the same players is ironic. The board now either backs the manager to save the season in the cups, or pulls the trigger and replaces him (which I don't think should happen).

Mo: Poor defending again and little penetration from the forwards. Where has Salah's eye for goal gone? First half, he is in an ideal position to score by racing towards goal but he passes into the crowd of defenders. Afterwards, it's just excuses from Slot and Virgil. Playing like this we will be lucky to qualify for Champions League.

Darren: It's been the same story all season. Look at the stats - every game the other team covers more ground and works harder! And they are conceding soft goal after soft goal. If nothing is changing then Slot is responsible for that and needs to go now!

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Bournemouth winger Amine Adli said scoring the 95th minute winner against Liverpool "was just magic" because of the "sensational" celebrations that followed with the fans.

After a goalmouth scramble, Adli's finish sent the home fans wild despite it being checked by video assistant referee (VAR) for a possible foul in the build-up.

Once it was cleared, goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic ran to the sidelines to celebrate with the dugout and there was delirium all around the Vitality Stadium.

"I'm very happy," Adli told BBC Radio Solent. "I play football for moments like this.

"I'm a very emotional player on the pitch and I always give 100 per cent, so I like seeing other people happy around me.

"I just tried to kick the ball into the goal, I don't know where I was trying to even shoot! It was so tight [the angle] and the ball was bouncing everywhere.

"I could see it was going in and then it was just a celebration for us because everyone was so happy. It was just magic.

"The crowd wanted to come on the pitch! It was just amazing, this is why I play football. Sensational.

"The three points are massive for where we are in the table and hopefully, it can be a switch for our season that allows us to get more confidence."

Listen to Adli's full interview on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth are close to completing the signing of Vasco da Gama's Brazilian forward Rayan, 19, on a permanent deal. (Athletic), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 2-0 Wolves

• Burnley 2-2 Tottenham

• Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool

Still not over Saturday's stoppage-time winner?

Listen to the latest episode of the Cherries Unpicked podcast as they react to Bournemouth's 3-2 win against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

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Andoni Iraola's squad has been decimated by injuries, while the loss of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in the middle of the season is a huge blow.

But in wet and windy conditions they played fearlessly and were rewarded for their attacking endeavour in the first half against Liverpool as they took a two-goal lead.

The hosts were perhaps guilty of sitting back in the second half as they tried to protect their 2-1 lead, but could hardly be blamed, given Liverpool's recent struggles against a low block.

Yet they went hunting for a winner after Dominik Szoboszlai levelled, with Ryan Christie forcing Alisson to make a top save before Evanilson fired his effort wide.

It felt as if neither side was content with a point and the scenes that followed Amine Adli's last-gasp winner will live long in the memory of the Bournemouth fans who were here.

Djordje Petrovic ran to the sidelines to celebrate with the dugout and there was delirium all around the Vitality Stadium.

It was only the second win in their past 15 games - and one Iraola's side wholly deserved.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory against Liverpool: "It is a massive win for us because we were in a difficult situation especially last week in terms of numbers wise and in defensive players.

"We are finding ways to get points against difficult opposition. I am very proud of the team and what we are doing. We are adapting and we are getting good points."

On Liverpool getting a goal just before half-time: "That is when you don't want to concede. We wanted to go into the dressing room 2-0 up. It was a good goal from [Virgil] Van Dijk and we knew we were going to have to push with everything they have done it and we conceded two set plays.

"But from the 2-2 we started playing better and we felt that we didn't have anything to lose."

On if he thought the game wasn't going to be an open game: "No I think the game was Liverpool, Bournemouth and it was going to be open.

"I think it is a win that we needed. We are now in 30 points, we need the points and we need them as soon as possible. We are still in relegation situation so we still have to fight and go for points."

Did you know?

• Bournemouth have scored two or more goals in 13 of their Premier League games this season - the joint-most of any side in the competition this term, along with Manchester City.

• The Cherries have won two of their last three league games (D1), as many as their previous 16 beforehand (W2 D7 L7).

Listen to Iraola on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Bournemouth make one change from their 1-1 draw with Brighton. Adam Smith replaces Marcus Tavernier who is out with a hamstring injury.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Jimenez, Scott, Cook; Kroupi, Adli; Evanilson.

Subs: Forster, Christie, Diakite, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic, Sadi, Rees-Dottin, DaCosta.

Arne Slot also makes one change from the Liverpool side that won in Marseille midweek with Cody Gakpo coming in for Hugo Ekitike.

Joe Gomez is making his first Premier League start at centre-back since December, 2024 against West Ham.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo, Salah.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Jones, Ekitike, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• West Ham v Sunderland (12:30)

• Burnley v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Brighton

• Man City v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Bournemouth v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester City v Wolves" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Liverpool", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Liverpool played really well against Marseille on Wednesday but I have a feeling they will find this game a lot more difficult.

Mind you, Bournemouth are a nightmare to predict this season so, whatever I say here, the opposite is likely to happen.

I have changed my mind a few times about this one - I started with a 1-1 draw, then went 2-1 to Bournemouth... but then I saw Liverpool have won on their past three visits here and a repeat result is what I have talked myself into in the end.

It should be a great game, though, whatever the outcome.

The Cherries are brilliantly strange, and I always think they have a goal in them - they will score here and have a real go at Liverpool, but I don't think they will quite get over the line.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth continue to battle a lengthy injury list as they prepare to host a Liverpool side who have beaten them in 12 of the past 13 league meetings.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their encounter at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth battling injuries

Bournemouth are slowly beginning to turn a corner after a torrid first half of the season although they next face a Liverpool side against whom they have a wretched record in the Premier League era.

The Cherries have picked up four points in their two most recent league outings, which is as many as they earned in the previous eight.

But Bournemouth have lost 12 of the past 13 meetings with Liverpool, while the south coast side have conceded 52 goals in the 17 Premier League encounters overall – their joint-highest tally against any team in the competition, along with Manchester City.

The biggest issues undermining Andoni Iraola's team, however, are a tendency to concede goals and throw away winning positions.

They have let in a league-high 30 goals since the start of November – a failing exacerbated by Bournemouth's lengthy injury list – and also dropped the most points (18) from winning positions this season.

The Cherries are currently missing eight players – the most of any Premier League team – whilst also continuing to adjust following the sale of star forward Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City earlier this month.

Bournemouth have been boosted by the signing of 20-year-old Ferencvaros midfielder Alex Toth although they have lost Marcus Tavernier to a potentially serious hamstring injury, joining David Brooks, Julio Soler, Enes Unal, Ben Gannon-Doak, Tyler Adams, Justin Kluivert and Will Dennis in the treatment room.

"I like to play with the ball at my feet… I'm energetic, I run everywhere," is how Toth describes his style of play and he may yet be joined by more fresh legs, with Bournemouth reportedly closing in on a move for teenage Vasco da Gama striker Rayan.

Iraola, though, had to name four development squad players on the bench at Brighton last weekend and he may well rely on a similar squad to face Liverpool.

Liverpool looking for first league win of 2026

Liverpool continue to manage injury issues of their own, albeit in much lower volume, with Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak sidelined, but they did welcome back forward Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this week.

The Egypt international immediately returned to the starting line-up in the 3-0 Champions League win at Marseille on Wednesday night and the 33-year-old must now surely be under consideration for a first league start since his public spat with Liverpool boss Arne Slot in December.

Whatever the line-up, Slot and Liverpool will be solely focused on earning a first Premier League win of 2026. The Reds are unbeaten in their past 10 league games, the longest current run of any side, although they have drawn all four since the turn of the year.

In top-flight history, only two teams have had a longer run of consecutive draws from the start of a calendar year, while Liverpool have not drawn five league games in a row at any point of the season since 1980.