AFC Bournemouth target Everton’s Luke Garbutt

It has been reported today by the 72 and Off the Post that Luke Garbutt has emerged as a potential signing for newly-promoted Bournemouth.

The 21 year-old has had extremely limited opportunities during his time at Everton and appears to be third choice left back at Goodison Park behind mainstay Leighton Baines and long-term casualty Bryan Oviedo.

Even with minimal game time, Garbutt has impressed in a Blues shirt this season and had cemented the left back spot for England’s U21s but he seems no closer to putting pen to paper on another Everton contract.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth lifted the Sky Bet Championship trophy in dramatic fashion on Saturday after Sheffield Wednesday’s late equaliser at league leaders Watford and is now planning for a tough season ahead; stepping up to the top flight.

As Garbutt is under 24, Bournemouth would have to pay the Toffees compensation and go through a tribunal if they want to sign him on a ‘free transfer’ but reports indicate the Cherries may look to make an offer to Everton rather than play out an episode of Suits.

Ultimately, Garbutt’s future will only be down to the player because Everton would be stupid to not want to keep Baines’ readymade replacement, it’s just whether he wants to wait that long.