Sky Sports: Bournemouth move closer to signing £21.3m defender | OneFootball

Alex Jimenez edges closer to Bournemouth future

There is no grand unveiling or inflated rhetoric here, just a young defender nearing the point where promise hardens into commitment. As Sky Sports report Bournemouth are close to a permanent obligation.

Calculated recruitment paying off

“Bournemouth defender Alex Jimenez is just one appearance away from joining the club permanently.”

That single line carries weight. Jimenez arrived from AC Milan with potential attached and expectation carefully managed. The structure of the deal always mattered. Rather than blind faith, Bournemouth opted for proof. A loan that demanded performance, minutes, trust.

“When the 20-year-old arrived in the summer from AC Milan on loan, the obligation to turn the move into a permanent deal would be triggered when he started 50 per cent of the games in the Premier League, which should come this weekend at home to Aston Villa.”

This matters because Bournemouth have been here before, buying on hope rather than evidence. Jimenez reaching this threshold suggests he has convinced coaches and team mates alike. Starting half of your league matches at 20 is not an accident.

Photo: IMAGO

Financial logic behind the move

“Bournemouth will pay Milan £16.8m plus £4.5m in potential add-ons for the defender, with Real Madrid holding a sell-on of their own from his move to Milan in August 2023.”

The numbers reflect modern football reality. Development is monetised, pathways are layered, and value is shared. Real Madrid retaining a sell-on clause is a reminder of Jimenez’s pedigree, and of the scrutiny that follows him.

For Bournemouth, this feels measured. £16.8m is significant, but not reckless, particularly for a player already acclimatised to the league’s pace and physical demand.

Long-term commitment signalled

“The permanent contract for Alex Jimenez will run through until 30 June 2031, it’s a five-year deal.”

Length matters. This is not a stopgap or a gamble on resale alone. Bournemouth are buying stability, growth, and resale optionality rather than necessity. If Jimenez improves, the club benefit on the pitch first.

His expected milestone comes against Aston Villa, an opponent who test defensive discipline and decision-making. That feels fitting. Premier League football rarely waits, and Jimenez has been asked to keep up from the start.

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From a Bournemouth supporter’s perspective, this deal feels reassuringly sensible. There is comfort in knowing the club have watched Jimenez week after week before committing fully. He has not looked overawed, and that counts for plenty.

The fee makes sense in context. Bournemouth have spent more on less certain profiles before. Jimenez already understands the system, the league, and the expectations. There is value in continuity, particularly at the back where partnerships and trust matter.

Supporters might also see this as a signal of ambition without excess. A contract running to 2031 suggests belief in development rather than a quick flip. If Jimenez becomes a £40m defender in three years, that is a bonus rather than a requirement.