Bournemouth appear to have sensationally beaten Watford to Roma forward Juan Manuel Iturbe for €24m (£17.7m).
The striker was all set to join Premier League outfit Watford FC and even underwent a medical yesterday.
However, Bournemouth suddenly leapt into the fray last night and their tactic seems to have worked.
Bournemouth appear to have sensationally beaten Watford to Roma forward Juan Manuel Iturbe for €24m (£17.7m).
The striker was all set to join Premier League outfit Watford FC and even underwent a medical yesterday.
However, Bournemouth suddenly leapt into the fray last night and their tactic seems to have worked.
Sky Sport Italia claim Watford are refusing to increase their offer of a six-month loan for €1.5m and option to buy for a further €18m.
That would take the total cost of the operation to €19.5m (£14.2m).
Bournemouth have reportedly proposed €2m for the loan and a further €22m to buy outright at the end of the season.
There would also be a substantial pay rise for the player himself and that seems to have swung the deal in their favour, as Watford made it clear they won’t be drawn into a bidding war.
Such a sum is practically what Roma originally paid to sign Iturbe from Verona in 2014.
Iturbe, meanwhile, has no particular preference between Watford and Bournemouth, so the Cherries have a huge advantage by offering more money.
According to SportItalia, the wages offered by Watford are €1.5m per season, plus a few bonuses, more or less what he currently earns at Roma.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, proposed €2.3m net plus €700,000 per year bonuses for Premier League safety and at least five decisive incidents (goals or assists).
Sky Sport Italia are confident the transfer to Bournemouth will be finalised on Wednesday.