Loan deal agreed
Fiorentina have agreed a season-long loan deal for Bournemouth defender Alex Jimenez, according to BBC Sport.
The agreement includes a €20 million (£17m) option to make the move permanent, allowing the 21-year-old to continue his career while an investigation into social media allegations remains ongoing.
Suspension and investigation
Jimenez was suspended by Bournemouth in May pending an investigation into what the club described as a "serious matter" relating to "posts circulating on social media". The Spanish Under-21 international had been a regular for the Cherries last season, making 32 appearances and scoring once.
Career path
Jimenez initially joined Bournemouth on loan from AC Milan before sealing a permanent transfer in February, signing a contract until 2031. Now, a move to Serie A offers him a chance to reset in familiar surroundings, having previously spent time in Italy.
What this means for all parties
For Bournemouth, the loan gets a currently unusable asset off the wage bill while the investigation continues. Fiorentina gain a versatile defender with experience in both the Premier League and Serie A, while Jimenez can focus on football as he awaits the outcome of the club probe.
Appearances for Bournemouth last season: 32
Goals: 1
