Bournemouth interested in Marseille left-back Quentin Merlin
Premier League side Bournemouth have expressed concrete interest in Marseille full-back Quentin Merlin (23), sources close to the player have reportedly told La Provence. The Cherries are understood to be monitoring the France U21 international closely, with scouts having flagged his profile during the final weeks of the Ligue 1 season.
Merlin has been on Bournemouth’s radar since early spring and was one of several Ligue 1 names flagged during recruitment meetings as the South Coast club eyes reinforcements at left-back this summer. While no formal bid has been lodged, interest remains active — though any move may have to wait until after the U21 Euros, which begin on June 11 in Slovakia.
The former Nantes defender was named in Gérald Baticle’s 29-man preliminary squad for the tournament and is widely expected to be part of the final 23. For Merlin, who narrowly missed out on selection for the Paris Olympic squad last year, this represents a chance to reaffirm his rising stock on the international stage.
Merlin has had a mixed season in Ligue 1 under Roberto De Zerbi. The new style of play saw the young Frenchman thrive at times, but paid the price of Marseille moving to a back three and wing-backs in the latter phase of the season. The 23-year-old has however played 27 matches for Les Olympiens, scoring one goal and still registering three assists from left-back / left-wing back this season.
AFC Bournemouth travelled to Manchester City on Tuesday night, still harbouring outside hopes of European qualification and a club record highest finish in the top flight of English football.
To achieve either, they would have to beat Manchester City, who themselves needed a victory to chase qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The home side also came into the game following the disappointment of defeat in the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.
Manchester City would run out comfortable winners in the end, with both sides finishing the game with 10 men, ending the Cherries hopes of an eighth place finish.
fter the match, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told the Daily Echo…
“We wanted to carry all the chances [of eighth place finish] until the last game, It was really very small chances because you need a lot of results.
“But it would mean we still are fighting for Europe until the last game. But it was a difficult day.
“I think you could see straight away City didn’t want to make any mistakes. It was also very big for them and they won, especially first minute for me.
“They’ve started really, really strong.”
