Bournemouth follow Ibe bid with Cook deal

Ian Watson

Leeds United midfielder Lewis Cook is set to sign for Bournemouth for a fee rising to £10million.

The 19-year-old will fly home from United’s pre-season tour of Ireland to complete the deal in the next 48 hours.

The Football League’s player of the year will reportedly cost the Cherries £6million up front with another £4million in add-ons.

Bournemouth have been tracking the player for 12 months but Leeds resisted the interest in January, however United owner Massimo Cellino has now decided to cash-in on the playmaker.

Leeds have just signed Oxford United striker Kemar Roofe for close to £3million, while Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes has arrived on a season-long loan and ex-England goalkeeper Robert Green, 36, has signed on a one-year deal.

Head coach Garry Monk has also snapped up Hadi Sacko from Sporting Lisbon to take his new recruits to four in the space of just 48 hours, but the departure of Cook, who was asked to miss this summer’s European Under-19 Championship, so he could go on the tour of Ireland, will be a huge blow.

Cook made 41 Championship starts last season, scoring once and providing two assists.

Bournemouth’s move for Cook came on the same day that it had emerged that Liverpool had accepted a £15million bid from the Cherries for Jordon Ibe.