Transfer Deadline Day - UPDATED

Last updated : 31 January 2011 By Bournemouth Co-Ordinator

AFC Bournemouth have signed "unattached" Ben Williamson from Glenn Hoddle's Footballing academy in Spain, having previously played for Ryman League side Worthing.

No news (yet) on the signing of Mathieu Baudry, but it is understood that his contract with French side, Troyes, has been cancelled, which would mean that he could sign outside of the transfer window as he's unattached to any club.

Meanwhile, the Cherries have rejected a deadline day approach from Burnley for the services of Marvin Bartley, having received an offer (reportedly) in the region of £250,000. Cardiff City were also said to be in the hunt after an approach from Scunthorpe United was rejected last week.

UPDATE @ 2318 ....... Burnley make an improved offer for Marvin Bartley, which Eddie Mitchell has been "reluctantly accepted".

Speculation that Marc Pugh was off to Leicester City seems to be unfounded. But as we all know after recent events at Dean Court, things can change quickly in football.

Any departures would be a slap in the face for Cherries fans after Chairman Eddie Mitchell was quoted in the Bournemouth Evening Echo as saying just 48 hours ago: "I can confirm there has been interest from Championship clubs and clubs at our own level, but it’s been very vague and it’s not really been of interest to us. We’ve given the players the security of their contracts and we are fast approaching the end of the season and our aim is to keep the playing squad we’ve got until at least the end of the season. I think the club is in the best possible position now to challenge to get into the Championship. If we weren’t successful this year – most of our players are contracted for another year anyway – I think next season, with more experience in this league, we would be right up there and favourites to go up, if we can keep the squad together. That (retaining the current playing squad) has got to be my principle aim. Since I’ve been at the club, I haven’t wanted to lose anybody. That includes the managerial situation but things do change, people move on and we’re very pleased with what we have got now".

Steve Fletcher added his weight to the arguement to keep the current squad intact by saying: "We’ve given ourselves a massive chance coming to the end of January. We’re in and among it and every game gets bigger and bigger. I think we’ve got a great chance anyway but, of course, even more so if we can keep all the players together. We’ve got a fantastic squad but we can’t really do anything more than take it game by game and just hope that everybody stays. I believe they will and I believe everybody is going to be here. It’s an honour to be part of a squad where you have got interest in so many players. Whether the offers have come in or if it’s speculation, it’s great to think that our team have got people looking at them. It must prove that we are doing something right at AFC Bournemouth".