Bournemouth forward Arnaut Danjuma has suggested that his main focus is on getting the Cherries back to the Premier League, but also that he is keen to get back to the top-flight next term to prove himself.

Danjuma has been in excellent form for the Cherries throughout the campaign. He has managed to display his best form chipping in with an impressive tally of 15 goals and seven assists in his 31 league appearances so far. That form has been instrumental in helping to establish Bournemouth in the top-six in the division and give themselves a chance of earning promotion.

The 24-year-old’s form has seen him reportedly attract the attentions of both Brighton and Southampton. West Ham have also more recently also been linked with a potential move for Danjuma. That suggests that the Cherries might find it difficult to keep hold of him if they do not get promoted through the play-offs this season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Danjuma suggested that his immediate priority is on trying to help the Cherries earn promotion. However, he did not rule out the prospect of moving away elsewhere with him being keen to play in the top-flight again next term whatever happens with Bournemouth.

He said: “My main objective is getting back with Bournemouth to the Premier League, then again I’m very ambitious. Whenever there is something that crosses my path that has a positive effect on my career I always consider it, but at the moment getting back to the Premier League with Bournemouth is the main focus for me, it’s where all my focus is.

“Definitely (feel need to prove myself in the Premier League), I still feel like that, it’s a huge part for me to prove myself in the Premier League as well. I was very unfortunate I think last season with a couple of injuries.

“I bounced back this season straight away, I’ve got it right, I’m playing back-to-back in one of the toughest leagues in the world. So, I think it’s good for me playing in this league, not only to prove to the rest of the world, but also myself that I’m capable of performing week in week out, even if I play two games a week.”

The verdict

This is a potentially very encouraging update for West Ham, Brighton and Southampton, with Danjuma leaving the door ajar for a move to the Premier League should the Cherries fail to earn promotion themselves. Bournemouth’s chances of doing that could well hinge on whether the 24-year-old can find his best form for them in the play-offs.

Danjuma is a player that has shown he is ready for the step-up back to the Premier League and it is going to be very difficult for Bournemouth to keep hold of him if they do not earn promotion. It is therefore likely that the Cherries will need him to fire them to the top-flight for them to be able to continue to get the best from him.

The 24-year-old would be able to get the Cherries a good profit now on the money they paid for him you would imagine, something that did not look likely after his first full season in English football last term. Therefore, the Championship season for the attacker has been excellent for both parties and has shown that he has the ability to perform to a consistent standard.