Bournemouth will have at least one new addition to their squad by the end of January.
The Cherries have agreed a £1million deal with DC United for highly-rated defender Matai Akinmboni, with the 18-year-old due to fly to the UK in the next 24 hours and undergo a medical.
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One of MLS’s leading young talents, Akimboni has attracted interest from numerous European clubs after impressing in the United States.
And with the January transfer window opening tomorrow, the impending deal would likely be the US U19 star’s first signing and Bournemouth would act quickly to secure his services.
A player with a bright future, it will be hoped that Akinmboni can provide cover in the second half of the season as the Cherries look to build on their strong start.
Since Wayne Rooney made his DC United debut in 2022, aged just 15, the youngster has gained plenty of experience.
He made 13 appearances in all competitions last season, despite only turning 18 when the season ended in October.
It was Akinmboni’s performances that led several clubs to take notice of him as a potential signing for 2025.
And it’s fair to say he comes highly recommended, as Rooney spoke highly of the star after he became the third-youngest player in MLS history when he graduated as a senior.
On his first start for DC, the Manchester United legend said: “I think I am a man of my word.
“What I said to the players when I came in was: ‘If you do well in training, you’ll get your chance to play.’
“He [Akinmboni] was excellent in training and deserves to come into the game.”
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With Akinmboni helping keep a clean sheet on his debut in a first-half 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake, Rooney tipped him to have a bright future.
He added: “I just felt he was ready to come in and play. Will he play every game? Of course not. He’s still a very young boy.”
“But for him and for us to see him play in an away game in difficult circumstances and produce the performance he did as a 15-year-old – he has a very bright future.”
“I got everything I wanted to see from the 45 minutes he played tonight.”
“I will continue to try to develop him as a player and hopefully see more from him this season and in the years to come.”
And the former England hero’s prediction now appears to be coming true, with Akinmboni ready to get a taste of Premier League football.
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But things could have turned out differently: according to reports, the American trained with FC Bayern Munich for two weeks in 2021 before deciding to reject their contract offer.
And a move to the Bundesliga would have made Akinmboni the second member of his family to play for the top German club.
His uncle is former Ghana international Samuel Kuffour, who spent twelve years at FC Bayern between 1993 and 2005 and played in the 1999 Champions League final defeat against Man United.
But with Bournemouth sitting seventh in the Premier League table, Akinmboni is hoping to become the youngest in his family to experience European football as he looks to help Andoni Iraola’s side strengthen their position in the coming months.