Bournemouth transfer news: Cherries 'agree loan deal' for AC Milan defender with buy option revealed

Bournemouth have reportedly reached an agreement to sign AC Milan defender Alex Jimenez on an initial loan deal.

Jimenez has spent the last two years with the Rossoneri after initially joining on loan from Spanish giants Real Madrid. 

The 20-year-old converted his loan switch into a permanent transfer last summer, signing a contract until the summer of 2028 with an option to extend by a further year. 

However, Jimenez has only played 45 minutes in Milan's opening three league games, and now looks set to swap Serie A for the Premier League.

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Bournemouth agree Jimenez deal

According to the Daily Echo, Bournemouth have agreed a deal with the Italian club over a season-long loan move. 

The deal includes an option for the Cherries to sign the Spaniard on a permanent transfer next summer for a €19m (£16.5m) fee.

Jimenez is believed to be travelling to England to undergo a medical before he is unveiled as the newest member of Andoni Iraola's squad.

The youngster should be Bournemouth's sixth summer addition following the arrivals of Djordje Petrovic, Adrien Truffert, Bafode Diakite, Amine Adli and Ben Gannon Doak. 

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Why are Bournemouth signing Jimenez? 

Bournemouth were already looking to sign Jimenez before Saturday's win over Tottenham Hotspur, but their need for a new full-back has grown after Adam Smith was forced off with an injury in the first half.

Jimenez can play on either side of defence, meaning that he will offer competition to Smith, Julian Araujo, Julio Soler and Truffert. 

Initially, Jimenez will surely come to operate on the right side of the back four if Smith is out of action for any considerable period.

The former Real Madrid man can also play as a wing-back and winger when required, ensuring that he will be a versatile option for Iraola.