Chelsea transfer news: Eddie Howe says Bournemouth have not received any offers for Callum Wilson
Chelsea had made the Cherries striker one of their primary targets this transfer window but have instead turned their intentions towards AC Milan's Gonzalo Higuain
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Your support makes all the difference.Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says the club have not received any offers for striker Callum Wilson.
Chelsea's assistant manager Gianfranco Zola confirmed the Blues had an interest in Wilson last month, but Maurizio Sarri was intent that the club pursue AC Milan’s Gonzalo Higuain.
Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 games under Sarri in the manager's last season at Napoli, and it's believed a deal for the 31-year-old, which would see the Argentinian join Chelsea on loan until the end of the season, is close to being signed after Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso hinted that the player’s head had been turned.
“We’ve had no interest in any of our players,” Howe said. “Everything has just been speculation, which you understand as this is the month for it.
“From my perspective and the team we have above me, we are always working together to try and find solutions to make the squad stronger and continue to move the team forward.
“They’re the main things. We’ll do that again, like we have done through the process that we’ve been together, for the benefit of Bournemouth.
“No interest or no actual enquiries? No, nothing.”
Wilson’s value was initially thought to be around the £50m mark, but that asking price for the 26-year-old has now been pushed more towards the £75m mark.
Howe, however, hopes the England international will stay at the Cherries at all costs and shirked talk over transfer values.
“I don’t want to place any more pressure on Callum or any of my players by talking about things that aren’t important,” Howe continued.
“What’s important is Callum working hard for the team and producing his best performances on a consistent basis.
“For him to be thinking about transfer fees, values and other clubs, I would recommend he focuses on Bournemouth.”
Wilson, who has scored nine goals and assisted a further six in 20 Premier League appearances this season, recently suffered a hamstring tweak and remains a doubt for when Bournemouth host West Ham on Saturday.
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