Bournemouth first confirmed their acceptance of a substantial bid for central defender Eddie Howe but then the Cherries have since retracted that statement and chairman Tony Swaisland now says the initial bid, believed to be in the region of £400,000, was in fact rejected, although the two clubs are continuing in their efforts to agree a mutually acceptable sum. Despite the problems over the fee, Bournemouth are still allowing Howe to meet
Oldham officials and discuss personal terms. The first offer was lodged on Tuesday and Howe was then pulled out of The Cherries' squad to face Brighton, supposedly due to illness. The 24-year-old defender, who has made over 230 senior appearances for the Second Division strugglers, almost joined Lancashire rivals Wigan in an £800,000 player-exchange deal earlier this year but the move broke down. Mick Wadsworth is keen to strengthen his defence and Howe has had international experience with England Under-21s.