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Bournemouth have deployed their top scout to Finland to watch FC Lahti and Estonia national team striker Henri Anier in action.
The 27-year-old has impressed since his move to Finland on the back of a couple of mixed spells in Scotland for Motherwell and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Anier is a fast forward capable of scoring goals in the Premier League and his good form has caught the eye only recently having scored 6 goals in 14 games for Lahti in Finland's Premier League.
A potential long-term injury to Jermain Defoe has left the Cherries' manager Eddie Howe looking for attacking reinforcements and Anier could be available for a fee of around £5 million; a bargain in today's market.Anier, who is something of a journeyman across Europe having represented Sampdoria, Viking, Kalmar as well as his stint in Scotland, has two years remaining on his deal with FC Lahti and is not expected to stay in Finland.
Bournemouth could do battle with several other teams for Anier's signature, as French trio Rennes, Bastia and Lyon are all rumoured to have been in contact with Anier's club regarding the player's availability.
The Cherries have had a somewhat disappointing Premier League campaign this year, despite Eddie Howe's success in the past two years. It is understood that Anier is wanted to help push Bournemouth back up the league table and guarantee survival in England's top flight for future seasons.
With Anier proving to be a regular goalscorer and Bournemouth lacking attacking prowess, Anier will add plenty of value to Eddie Howe's squad. The striker has already requested that his agent set up talks with all clubs interested in his services, but a move to England appears to be his preferred option. The striker has four years remaining on his FC Lahti contract and could quadruple his salary should a move to England materialise.
The striker is seen as potential competition for Bournemouth's current first choice striker Callum Wilson and will add much needed attacking options to the club's squad. One week into the January transfer window and it the Cherries have yet to have dipped into the transfer market, but are expected to be very active before the window slams shut.
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Written by Ketan Patel
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