Cherries joins chase for Brentford’s Spanish star Jota

Bournemouth, even-money chances with Coral to stay up in their maiden Premier League campaign next season, could make a move to poach Spanish attacking midfielder Jota from former promotion rivals Brentford, according to tabloid reports which emerged over the weekend.

It appears, one way or another, that ex-Celta Vigo star Jota, 23, will be playing top-flight football again next term, as the Bees are contesting the play-offs, but behind 2-1 on aggregate to Middlesbrough going into their semi-final second leg. This is also reflected in an outside 10/1 price on outgoing gaffer Mark Warburton getting the west London outfit up.

Cherries coach Eddie Howe cannot expect a clear run at Jota, however, with Leicester City and Swansea City both circling for his services. South coast club Bournemouth may be looking to upgrade on long-serving attacker Marc Pugh, with opposite flanker Matt Ritchie playing a starring role in their Championship title win.

The Foxes and Nigel Pearson, meanwhile, may struggle to keep hold of recent goal hero Riyad Mahrez following his winning brace against Southampton.

Spanish La Liga side Villarreal are reportedly tracking him to offer a better threat than Arsenal loan flop Joel Campbell, which will leave East Midlands outfit Leicester needing a replacement. Versatile Foxes forward Jamie Vardy has also been consistently linked with moving across the region to join Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion.

Garry Monk is also understood to be looking at Jota, with the Swans being a recent hotbed of talented Spaniards. The likes of Michu and Chico Flores flourished during stints in south Wales, though the Liberty Stadium outfit have options aplenty across advanced midfield areas, so may need to move someone on to make space for a new signing.

Jota netted 11 goals during the regular season, and is 7/2 to score in 90 minutes of Brentford’s second leg battle up at Boro.