AFC Bournemouth have seen two players leave through the exit door at Dean Court this week.
Both players have left the south coast on loan deals to Europe, with Philip Billing joining Italian side Napoli and Max Aarons joining Spanish side Valencia.
The two deals reportedly have the potential to become permanent, with fees agreed with both Napoli and Valencia of £9million and £7.5million respectively according to Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam.
Neither player were first choice for the Cherries in recent times, with AFC Bournemouth having good strength in depth in both positions, however, the time could be seen as curious with the Cherries struggling overall for fit and available first-team players.
Speculation could however suggest that the departures could well help fund a potential incoming signing before the January transfer window slams shut over the next couple of weeks.
Who will Bournemouth miss more?Billing
Aarons
Both
Neither
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DEAL AGREED:
Bournemouth have agreed a deal with Napoli for Philip Billing.
Loan until the end of the season.
They’re paying his wages.
Option to buy at £9 million. #afcb
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) January 9, 2025
The Cherries signed Philip Billing in 2019 from Huddersfield Town for a reported fee of £15 million, the 28-year-old went on to play over 200 games in all competitions for the Cherries under six managers (Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, Jonathan Woodgate, Scott Parker, Gary O’Neil and Andoni Iraola). During that time the Cherries were relegated from the Premier League during the COVID-19 Pandemic season, spent two seasons in the Championship before winning promotion back to the top flight of English football.
Valencia have agreed a loan deal to sign right-back Max Aarons, who played for Bournemouth today in the FA Cup 🇪🇸
The deal involves an option to turn the move into a permanent transfer for £7.5 million in the summer 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wdKkZskZu9
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 11, 2025
AFC Bournemouth signed Max Aarons in August 2023 from Norwich City for a reported fee of £7million. The now 25-year-old has never established himself as the first-choice right-back at the club, often struggling in the pecking order behind the likes of Adam Smith and more recently Julián Araujo.
Overall he has made 27 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Speaking to Valencia’s official website, Aarons told his newly adopted club…
“I’m very happy. I know how incredible this Club is, and I’m ready to get started. It’s been a hectic few days since I arrived, so it’s great to finally put on my boots and be out on the pitch with the team…”
“…I remember as a kid, I would always hear people talk about this stadium. The Camp de Mestalla is incredible. I spoke to Justin Kluivert, and he told me great things about the Club, especially about the stadium and the fans. I’ll give my all every time I’m on the pitch. The fans will see that, and I’ll show my full potential and ability. I’m ready to prove what I can do and achieve our goals.”
Your say…
darwinsdummy wrote…
(Philip Billing leaving is) a bit of a confusing one, considering our list of injuries. Good place for him, of course, Napoli is in the title race for Serie A.
My best guess is that as far as midfield injuries to Scott and Tavs go we have good signs of having depth back soon and/or a signing in the works. With some combination of those to provide the necessary depth, then Billing going on loan to Napoli could be a good move. That is obviously a major assumption, if we don’t have the depth in his attacking mid role at some point in the rest of the season then this will be a regrettable loan deal.
But let’s, for the sake of it, assume we will have sufficient depth for his position. Playing for us, Billing is largely getting some substitute appearances, which will only decrease as players return from injury. While he has some great qualities that have helped us in the past, he doesn’t quite match Iraola’s preferred style and so will likely continue to struggle for game time. Sending him on loan to Napoli, a team in a title race that needs to break down obstinate defences (where his clever attacking play and finishing skills are valuable), may essentially function to put him in the shop window better than playing for us does. That’s why I think this may be with an eye on getting a better fee for him in the summer than we may get if he keeps playing for us from the bench. – To join the conversation, please click here.
thegazzyb posted…
(Max Aarons) Enthusiastically celebrated the goals with his teammates too.
Maybe he’ll get the game time he needs with this loan and come back a better player, if he doesn’t end up being offered a permanent transfer.
He gave 100% yesterday and certainly doesn’t appear to have burned any bridges here.
Good luck to him. We can have no complaints. He has been very professional in his time with us and hopefully, this move will be a positive one for his future career, wherever that may be. – To join the conversation, please click here.
