Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has admitted that he may look to exit the club in the summer after a reported January move to West Ham fell through.
According to the Mirror, the Hammers were keen to sign Arter last month, with the Republic of Ireland international out of favour on the south coast, but Bournemouth were not willing to sell the 28-year-old.
Arter has now admitted that he may have to leave the Vitality Stadium in the summer to guarantee himself first-team football.
As quoted by the Mirror, he said: “When a player my age is not playing and someone who is desperate and just loves playing football, there comes a question over whether long term it is going to the right place for me.
“Ultimately if I am not playing, there has to be a change — and I am sure the manager would understand that. If I don’t play between now and the end of the season and am a continued spectator then, naturally, there would a be a discussion.”
The midfield terrier has made more than 250 appearances for the Cherries since he joined from Woking in 2010, but he has turned out just 13 times in the Premier League this season.
OPINION
It is not surprising to hear that Arter is considering leaving Bournemouth after falling so out of favour this season. The tough-tackling midfielder has been a key part of the Cherries side since they achieved promotion to the Premier League, but he has now been usurped by other players in the squad. West Ham were obviously keen to sign Arter in the January window, and a move like that would be a good one for the 28-year-old. It is yet to be seen whether the Hammers will be back in for him in the coming months, but there will surely be other clubs interested in his services regardless.