Bournemouth opinion: Should the Cherries make a move for Tom Heaton?

According to reports from the Sun, Burnley star Tom Heaton has rejected a new contract offer from the Clarets, which has put Bournemouth on high alert. The Cherries are looking for a brand new shot-stopper and have been linked with every man all over England.

From Jack Butland to Joe Hart, Bournemouth have been linked with quite a few stars but no move has happened so far. The Cherries desperately need a brand new goalkeeper and one much more reliable than either Artur Boruc or Asmir Begovic.

Neither goalkeeper has managed to stake his claim for the permanent job and it’s why manager Eddie Howe needs to look elsewhere. Begovic walked into the season as the number one pick but he was out by the end of the season and Artur Boruc was in.

That wouldn’t have been too much of a problem if Boruc wasn’t 39 years old. The Polish goalkeeper has been a rather good shot-stopper over the course of his career but his days of doing that are long over.

He’s not ready to be sent to the stables just yet but Boruc shouldn’t be playing regular first-team football for a club that’s looking to thrive in the Premier League.

However, the Cherries have been very heavily linked with a move for Heaton’s teammate Nick Pope in March and May of this year but no move has materialized so far.

But if Heaton has really turned down a new deal with Burnley, then this is a move that will help Bournemouth. The 33-year-old may be older than Begovic but he is very reliable between the sticks.

It’s one of the many reasons why he became the Claret’s first choice after Nick Pope fractured his shoulder and continued in a similar fashion even after the younger man recovered.

Combine that with a  wealth of experience that includes a Premier League title, a Champions League crown and well over 350 appearances. You cannot buy that kind of experience, and right now despite his age, Heaton would arguably be a sensational third choice.

That is behind the aforementioned Jack Butland and Joe Hart, because they should be Bournemouth’s first and second choice options bar none.

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Conclusion

Bournemouth have an exciting team and it’s one that Eddie Howe has to use to their full potential but they need to fix their goalkeeper issues. Adding Tom Heaton will help them but only if they do not get either Jack Butland or Joe Hart, only then will Heaton be a fantastic option.