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Two Strikers, One Big Decision: Bournemouth Facing Transfer Dilemma?
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- Two Strikers, One Big Decision: Bournemouth Facing Transfer Dilemma?
Two Strikers, One Big Decision: Bournemouth Facing Transfer Dilemma?
AFC Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose and the club's recruitment team could have some important decisions to make over the coming days, with interest beginning to emerge in fringe strikers Daniel Jebbison and Enes Ünal.
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With Junior Kroupi currently injured , Bournemouth's options at centre-forward are already relatively limited. Evanilson and summer arrival Álvaro Rodríguez are the main senior options available to Rose, meaning allowing both Jebbison and Ünal to depart would leave the Cherries looking somewhat light in attack.
However, should suitable offers arrive, Bournemouth's hierarchy may be prepared to do business - particularly if a move also suits the ambitions of the players involved.
Reports have suggested that Championship clubs Wrexham, Southampton and Birmingham City have shown interest in the Canadian international, while Bundesliga side Hamburg and Serie A outfit Genoa have also been linked with the 23-year-old.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Jebbison has featured prominently during Bournemouth's pre-season preparations and has done his chances of remaining part of Rose's plans little harm.
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The striker has scored twice during pre-season and was involved in three of Bournemouth's five goals against Augsburg during the club's training camp in Austria . Rose is believed to have been impressed with what he has seen, although questions remain over exactly how many opportunities Jebbison would receive once competitive action begins.
The striker himself has previously expressed a desire to fight for his place at Bournemouth, and his performances this summer have strengthened his case.
Ünal's situation appears rather different.
The Turkish international is attracting interest from former club Getafe , while Sevilla and Alavés have also been linked with a move. Bournemouth are thought to be more receptive to allowing Ünal to leave, although the structure of any potential deal could prove problematic.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
The Cherries would reportedly prefer a permanent transfer rather than a loan, while Ünal's substantial salary could provide another obstacle for interested clubs. Getafe are believed to favour bringing their former striker back to Spain , although Bournemouth are likely to consider whichever proposal represents the best deal.
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Ünal's own feelings about his Bournemouth future have appeared less emphatic than Jebbison's.
Speaking in March, the striker struck a downbeat tone when discussing his situation.
"Is it easy? Honestly, no. I don't need to lie. My situation has been clear for a long time. I'll have peace of mind. Let me put it this way. I'm trying to do more than I can."
Ünal did not explicitly state that he wanted to leave Bournemouth, but his comments reflected the frustrations of a player who has struggled for consistent minutes and momentum since arriving on the south coast.
His Bournemouth career has been heavily disrupted by injury.
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After initially joining on loan from Getafe in January 2024 before completing a permanent move that summer, Ünal suffered a broken toe which kept him out for more than three months at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign.
Enes Unal - whilst at former club Getafe - Wikimedia Commons
Worse followed in January 2025 when he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in training, his second serious ACL injury in little over a year. That setback ended his season and resulted in almost 300 days on the sidelines.
Ünal eventually fought his way back and marked his long-awaited return with a goal in late 2025, only for another setback to arrive in January 2026 when an adductor injury ruled him out for several weeks.
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Those injuries have made it extremely difficult for the Turkish forward to establish himself at Bournemouth. Even when available, starts have been difficult to come by, with the striker often asked to make an impact during relatively short appearances from the bench.
That lack of regular football also contributed to Ünal missing out on Turkey's World Cup squad this summer, and a move elsewhere could offer him the opportunity to finally rediscover the consistent minutes that have been missing throughout much of his time in England .
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have further strengthened their forward line this summer with the arrival of Álvaro Rodríguez from Elche in a deal reportedly worth up to £25.7million.
A balancing act for Bournemouth
The decisions over Jebbison and Ünal ultimately leave Bournemouth with a delicate balancing act.
Daniel Jebbison - Wikimedia Commons
Ünal's departure would appear the more straightforward of the two, particularly if the player wants regular football and Bournemouth can find a permanent deal that makes financial sense. After an injury-plagued two-and-a-half years on the south coast, a fresh start could potentially suit all parties.
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Jebbison's future is less clear-cut. His encouraging pre-season has provided Rose with another viable attacking option at precisely the moment Kroupi 's injury has reduced the manager's choices. Selling or loaning him now could leave Bournemouth unnecessarily short should further injuries strike.
Equally, keeping a player who may receive limited competitive minutes could do little for Jebbison's development, particularly if an attractive opportunity arrives elsewhere.
For Rose and Bournemouth's recruitment team, there is therefore more to consider than simply the size of any offers that land on the table. They must balance squad depth with player development, financial considerations and the individual ambitions of two strikers at very different stages of their Bournemouth careers.
With the Premier League opener at Manchester City approaching, the next few weeks could determine whether both remain part of Rose's squad - or whether Bournemouth decide that one, or perhaps both, are better served continuing their careers elsewhere.
