Bournemouth have entered into advanced talks to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder Joe Rothwell on a free transfer this summer, according to a report.
It has been confirmed that the 27-year-old will leave Ewood Park upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June, bring an end to a four-year stay in Lancashire.
Bournemouth reportedly came close to signing the midfielder back in January, but Rovers are said to have turned down several bids from Scott Parker's side due to their promotion ambitions at the time.
Rovers would go on to fall away at the end of the 2021-22 Championship campaign, missing out on a playoff place entirely despite an impressive season.
As a result of their failed promotion, Rothwell refused to sign a new deal with the club this summer, and the Cherries could finally be about to get their man, according to Football Insider.
The report suggests that talks between Rothwell and Bournemouth are at an advanced stage, which has moved them ahead of fellow newly-promoted sides Fulham and Nottingham Forest in the race to sign the former Oxford United man.
Bournemouth are yet to complete a new signing this summer since sealing their promotion back to the Premier League, but were they to land Rothwell, they would be landing a player that scored three goals and registered 10 assists in 41 league appearances in the second tier last season.
Matthew Tranter
