Bournemouth are attempting to lure Luton Town defender Jack Stacey to the Vitality Stadium this summer, it has been claimed.
A report on Bournemouth Echo claims that the two parties have agreed on a fee of around £4m after the initial knockback by Luton which leaves the player to agree personal terms and pass a medical.
Apart from Bournemouth, Scottish giants, Celtic were also believed to be interested to make him sign on the dotted line to beef up their ranks.
Eddie Howe’s side have already signed versatile left-back Lloyd Kelly from Bristol City but are apparently keen to add more quality to their defensive artillery.
Bournemouth conceded as many as 70 goals in the Premier League in the previous campaign and no wonder they are striving to fix their loopholes at the back. Stacey’s impressive displays in recent times have attracted attention and it is not a surprise to see a Premier League club register their interest.
Jack Stacey: Profile
Stacey is a youth product of Reading and while he was on their books, he was shipped out on loan to Barnet, Carlisle United and Exeter City.
Owing to his failure to cement a place in the senior side of the Royals, he made a permanent switch to Luton Town in the summer of 2017.
Last season, he played an instrumental role in helping the Hatters to clinch the League One title and impliedly in getting promoted to the Championship.
Although he started as a winger, he has transformed himself into a right-back in recent years and is one of the highly rated players in English football at the moment.
Why the improved offer makes sense
Stacey is a blossoming player and Bournemouth have a positive history of drawing players from lower leagues and converting them into stars.
The likes of Joshua King, Callum Wilson, Charlie Daniels, Lewis Cook and David Brooks fared well under Howe after they were handed opportunities by him.
Stacey could be the next one in the line and there is no denying that he has the potential to make his presence felt in the top flight of English football.
He is a modern-day full-back blessed with pace and exuberance and has the capacity to make a quick transition from defence to attack.
The 23-year-old can deliver accurate crosses, is a calm and composed player at the back and in one vs one situation and his career has seen a steady upward trajectory and Bournemouth will be keen to offer a platform for the versatile fullback to flourish as they strive to edge towards the top 8 finish in the Premier League.
