Bournemouth to complete swoop for big target

Bournemouth are set to complete the signing of Saint-Etienne winger Max Gradel.

The Ivory Coast international spent five seasons in England between 2006-11, representing Leicester City, Leeds United, and spending the 2008-09 campaign on loan with the Cherries.

Now 27, Gradel, who is expected to cost the Cherries around £7m, will return to the newly-promoted Premier League club, who had previously seen a number of offers knocked back by the Ligue 1 outfit.

Eddie Howe has been busy bolstering his squad ahead of the Dorset side’s debut campaign in the top flight having already signed Tyrone Mings, Christian Atsu, Artur Boruc, Sylvain Distin, Filippo Costa, Josh King and Adam Federici.

Leeds are expected to receive around £1.4m for the sell-on clause they negotiated with St Etienne.