Former Bournemouth and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Jordon Ibe has "more natural ability" than former teammate Raheem Sterling.
Bournemouth broke their club-record transfer fee to bring the 20-year-old to the Vitality Stadium in a £15m deal yesterday.
Ibe signed a four-year contract at the club, and Redknapp believes that the winger could be worth twice his transfer fee in just a couple of years if he lives up to his potential.
"I think it's a great piece of business for Bournemouth. Although it's a lot of money, when you look at the current climate he is the sort of player who in a couple of years could be worth double that because he's got fantastic pace and can dribble and shoot," he told the Bournemouth Echo.
"I'd like to see him add more goals to his game but I think he'll be a fantastic signing and especially given he will be working with Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall, who get the best out of young players. Bournemouth is a great place to learn and develop and he fits what the club wants. Before you know it, he could be in the England squad.
"I think he has more natural ability than Raheem Sterling. Anything Raheem Sterling struggles with, Jordon Ibe can do. I would hate to play against him with his pace and power. Sometimes when a young player goes to a big club, you can get lost a bit. He was in Raheem Sterling's shadow when he first got in the team and then had a couple of games where it didn't really work out. When a new manager comes in and they make their mind up on you, it makes it difficult. He is missing one vital ingredient which he will get in abundance at Bournemouth and that's confidence. If he gets belief into his game, Bournemouth will have signed an absolute winner."
Ibe made 58 first-team appearances for Liverpool in all, scoring four goals.
Barney Corkhill
