Bournemouth strike loan deal for Andrei Radu

Bournemouth will soon complete the loan signing of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andrei Radu, says Fabrizio Romano.

After materialising Milo Kerkez’s £18 million arrival from AZ Alkmaar last week, the Cherries are about to add another piece to Andoni Iraola’s jigsaw.

Radu will parachute into Boscombe on Wednesday to undergo medical checks before penning a short-term contract at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth have included a buyout clause in his deal, although the figure remains hidden at the moment.

The idea behind the Romanian’s purchase remains uncertain as he is unlikely to leapfrog Bournemouth captain Neto in the pecking order, especially after the Brazilian’s superb form last season.

It’s more likely that Radu will be Neto’s deputy, and will seek first-team opportunities in the cup competitions or ‘less’ relevant Premier League fixtures.

Darren Randolph should remain Iraola’s third choice, with Mark Travers expected to head out on loan to gain experience, probably in the Championship.

Radu shared the dressing room with another Bournemouth player last season as Siriki Dembele also spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Auxerre.

However, the pair couldn’t prevent the French minnows from relinquishing their Ligue 1 status in the campaign just gone, rendering their stay at the club impossible.

He moved back to Inter, only to become the third Nerazzurri shot-stopper to exit the club this summer after Andre Onana and Samir Handanovic.

The 26-year-old keeper has never stood a chance of launching a senior career at Inter despite being under contract at Giuseppe Meazza since 2015.

With Handanovic occupying a starting role for almost a decade before Onana’s arrival last summer, Radu has wandered from one loan to another to secure first-team football.

He made his international debut for Romania last year and has since tallied four caps for the Tricolours, becoming Edward Iordanescu’s first choice between the sticks.

After Kerkez and Justin Kluivert, Radu will become the third Bournemouth signing this summer.