SKY CONFIRM: Bournemouth in Serious £1.4m Negotiations with Southampton for Darling
Sky Sports has confirmed that Bournemouth are in advanced negotiations with Southampton over a potential £24 million deal for defender Luke Darling. The 21-year-old, who has impressed in Southampton’s youth setup and earned praise during recent loan spells, is seen as a long-term investment by the Cherries.
Bournemouth are keen to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new season and view Darling as a player with Premier League potential. The talks are said to be progressing positively, with personal terms unlikely to be a stumbling block.
Southampton, while reluctant to lose a promising homegrown talent, are open to the sale as they look to reshape their squad following promotion. The £24m fee would include performance-related add-ons and a sell-on clause, ensuring potential future value.
Darling has yet to make a senior league appearance for Southampton but is highly rated internally. A move to the south coast rivals could offer the breakthrough he’s been seeking.
