Huddersfield Town outcast Philip Billing is set to make a move to Bournemouth this summer, it has been reported.
Although Brighton and Hove Albion have also been monitoring the £15million-rated midfielder from close quarters, it has been claimed by the Sun that Bournemouth are currently winning the race for his signature.
Billing was left in the wilderness by Huddersfield Town boss Jan Siewert towards the end of the previous campaign, and has not been given a squad number, which implies that he is not in Siewert’s plans for the future.
With one year left on his current contract at the Kirklees Stadium, the Terriers are willing to let him leave.
Bournemouth have already signed left-back Lloyd Kelly and right-back Jack Stacey, but need more depth in their midfield.
The Cherries finished 14th in the Premier League standings last season, and will hope to breach the top 10 next season.
What will Billing add to the Bournemouth team?
Last season, Billing was one of the rare positives in what was a forgettable season for Huddersfield Town as they were eventually relegated to the Championship.
Predominantly a central midfielder, he can also be used in a deeper role. He mustered 27 league appearances for the Terriers last season.
In the process, the Danish midfielder made 1.3 tackles, 2.3 interceptions and 1 block per game on an average, and also managed to score a couple of goals.
The 23-year-old could fit well under Howe’s system as he is always willing to go that extra yard to win back possession for his team and break the momentum of opposition attacks.
An astute reader of the game and a calm figure on the pitch, Billing is powerful and athletic and is more than capable of producing the odd screamer here using his left peg.
Billing would provide some healthy competition for the likes of Lewis Cook, Andrew Surman, Dan Gosling and Jefferson Lerma, if his move to Bournemouth materialises, or even replace one of them should the Cherrie decide to make it a player plus cash deal to land Billing.
Howe is good at getting the most out of young players with lots of potential, and someone like Billing would have the chance to thrive under the gaffer.