Rodríguez

ÁLVARO Rodríguez is "on a top level" in a number of attributes and has areas he can improve in, Marco Rose said, as the boss confirmed that he had previously tried to sign him when at RB Leipzig.

Rodríguez became the first signing of the Rose reign at the Cherries, and he is a player the German boss knows from previously attempting to bring him to Germany when he was at Real Madrid.

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Crucially, the striker adds some height to the Bournemouth squad, which Rose said will help at set pieces at both ends of the pitch.

Asked about the striker and about his previous efforts to sign him, Rose said: "Yeah, we watched him in Leipzig, but at the end it was not possible to get him.

(Image: AFC Bournemouth)

"I think for us, when I watched the videos of him, I saw many things and I saw many things you can still improve.

"But he already showed on a top level in a top league that he can score goals.

"Even though he's tall, his technical abilities are very good, still to improve, but very good.

"And as we know, we have a little bit of height disadvantages.

"So it's good to have a player who's more than 190 cm for set pieces as well, offensive and defensive."