AFC Bournemouth are heading into transfer deadline day off the back of an excellent week, both on and off the pitch.
On the pitch, the Cherries have beaten Premier League champions Liverpool and then defeated bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. It is the first time the Cherries have put together back-to-back victories in the Premier League since September, a run of 20 league games.
The win lifted AFC Bournemouth to 12th in the top flight of English football, six points from the top 6 and 13 points clear of the relegation zone.
Off the pitch, AFC Bournemouth have also had quite the week, not only was planning permission granted for the first part of the redevelopment plans at Dean Court, but formal planning for the entire stadium redevelopment has now also been made public (click here).
Not only that, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola had his squad bolstered by not one, but two brand new signings.
The first signing of the day was Greek goalkeeper Christos Mandas, who has joined initially on loan until the end of the season from Italian Serie A club Lazio.
There have been various reports that the deal for the 24-year-old includes various clauses that could see the move turn into a permanent one come the end of the current 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
Sports broadcaster Ben Jacobs, alongside talkSPORT colleague Alex Crook have reported that AFC Bournemouth will pay an initial loan fee of £1.3million.
But included in the deal is a £16million conditional obligation to make the deal permanent based on a certain number of appearances. If this isn’t triggered, Bournemouth could pay just £850k.
Personal terms with Mandas have already agreed on a reported five-year contract.
More on Bournemouth’s deal for Lazio’s Christos Mandas, as revealed with @alex_crook.
Bournemouth will pay a loan fee of £1.3m.
There is a £16m conditional obligation to buy triggered by appearances.
If it isn’t triggered, Bournemouth must pay £850k.🍒 https://t.co/7YbRv1uDey
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 26, 2026
Speaking to afcb.co.uk, Mandas said…
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of this club. I feel so proud, it’s a dream for me to come here and I’m really, really happy.
“From the start, when I knew Bournemouth were interested, I knew that I wanted to come here. It feels like a magical atmosphere between the players and the fans, and I like the way the team plays, so it is the right move for me to come here.”
The second signing through the door was that of Rayan.
According to Sky Sports News, Vasco da Gama and AFC Bournemouth have agreed a deal worth £24.7 million, with a potential £5.6 million in add-ons, with no percentage of any future sale.
Rayan has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract. Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam has added that the deal includes a €100 million release clause.
🧨
New Bournemouth signing RAYAN has a €100 million release clause.#afcb
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) January 27, 2026
The deal between AFC Bournemouth and Brazilian side Vasco da Gama for forward Rayan appeared to be a lengthy one to strike.
BREAKING: Bournemouth have submitted an offer for Vasco da Gama winger Rayan worth in total around £27.75 million Sky Sports News understands 🚨 pic.twitter.com/chkwpDqLTd
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 16, 2026
Not only that, but the 19-year-old also got married in between the deal being struck and travelling to the UK to complete the transfer.
Vasco da Gama winger Rayan is flying into the UK this evening ahead of his Bournemouth medical which will take place tomorrow morning.
The agreed fee is £24.7 million with a potential £5.6 million in add-ons with no percentage of any future sale 💷 pic.twitter.com/mI2X9g2x3h
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 25, 2026
But the deal did get over the line, and he was even able to make his debut over the weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Speaking to afcb.co.uk, Rayan said…
“I am very happy and very honoured to be here, especially with the sporting project they developed for me. I’m extremely happy. It’s a club that develops a lot of talents, so I’m very happy to be here and hope to give the fans a lot of joy.”
"We received a lot of proposals, but Bournemouth was different."
Rayan speaks in his first interview since joining #afcb 🙌
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 27, 2026
Your say…
MarcioVasco wrote…
Hi, I am a Vasco fan and someone who followed all of Rayan’s trajectory since the U13 Vasco.
Yes i can tell you, all of his family will go with him. This boy is a star, a phenomenal player, you guys can’t even imagine how good this boy is, a good person, phenomenal player.
I am from Brazil, Rio. I am a Vasco fan like i said and i can tell you guys, Bournemouth made probably the best sign of decade, Vasco is a amazing club, but we lack of structure and financial, we are restructuring again and we will be back as we had before, one of the top 3 in Brazil, but take time, so Rayan is not even at the feet of his potential, i’ve watched many games on field and live here, you guys will be amazed of how good he is, strong, explosive, left foot is a cannon, header, tall, this boys reminds me the beginning of Adriano. I’m sad because he goes, but I’m happy for him; he deserves the best.
Please, please, take care of him, have patience with him, sing songs for him, he loves this, he loves the interaction with the crowd, so please, take care of my boy. He is a little piece of Vasco there in Europe now. – To join the conversation, please click here.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…