Club reject €15m Bournemouth bid for player – Chief insists transfer is ‘so far unthinkable’

Bournemouth have made a €15m bid for AZ Alkmaar winger Jesper Karlsson but need to work to convince the Dutch side into a sale.

That’s according to De Telegraaf, who say the Cherries ‘had their sights set’ on the 24-year-old but have met resistance from his club.

The newspaper explains that Alkmaar find themselves in ‘calm waters’ in this transfer window, with them keen to keep the squad calm ahead of a double header against Gil Vicente.

They’re battling the Portuguese side for a place in the group stages of the Europa Conference League and don’t want any major departures before then.

That means that, despite rumours about Karlsson becoming ‘increasingly persistent’ there has been no movement.

Both Bournemouth and Celta Vigo have made €15m offers for the Swedish international ‘according to sources around AZ’.

These bids, though, have been rejected despite the player showing ‘a desire to leave’ the club.

Alkmaar are insistent he will be staying where he is, with director of football affairs Max Huiberts quoted as saying a departure is ‘so far unthinkable’.

“We have indicated to Jesper that we want to keep a strong squad, that we want to perform,” he added.

Thus, Bournemouth may have to turn their attention elsewhere, or perhaps wait until the second leg against Gil Vicente on 25^th August before trying again.