'Relatively pleased' with January window despite Semenyo exit

Bournemouth can be relatively pleased with their January transfer window, in the context that it was a month in which they lost their star player in Antoine Semenyo.

While it may irk some Cherries fans to be reminded of their place in the food chain of English football (and these days, world football), they are not at the stage where they can be considered a "final destination" for elite players.

However, compared to 20 to 30 years ago, their best players are no longer being picked off for below market rates, simply to pay a tax bill or otherwise keep the club in existence.

Succession planning is a large part of any club recruitment team's job and Brazilian teenager Rayan's cameo appearance in Saturday's win at Wolves is already encouraging fans of his potential as Semenyo's long-term successor.

Such planning will now extend to the summer. With Marcos Senesi's contract winding down, and every indication that the Argentina defender will look to exploit free agency and move on, a left-footed central defender would appear to be high on the shopping list.

While the new Squad Cost Ratio regulations favour the bigger clubs – it was no surprise that the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford voted against their introduction – and mean that another big sale or two cannot be ruled out, it will be hoped that the Cherries are not facing the sort of (admittedly high-priced) multiple departures they suffered in the summer of 2025.

With a crucial planning application to expand Vitality Stadium for next season now under scrutiny by the local council, 2026 could also be an important year of off-field progress.