AFC Bournemouth have confirmed the acquisition of 20-year-old Spanish full-back Álex Jiménez from AC Milan on a season-long loan, including a conditional obligation to make the move permanent. The announcement, made on 1 September 2025, marks a notable reinforcement to the Cherries’ defensive line as they look to build on a promising start to the Premier League campaign.
The loan deal, reportedly valued at €1.5 million, will escalate into a permanent transfer—estimated at around €18.5 million—should Jiménez make at least 18 Premier League starts during his time on England’s south coast. According to reports, this figure translates to approximately £16.5 million.
With those thresholds met, the total package would reach a substantial €20 million, further underscoring the potential long-term value Bournemouth see in the young defender.
Derived from Real Madrid’s famed youth academy, Jiménez’s rise has been charted through consistent development. His journey took him from Castilla to Milan, where he gradually broke into the first team in early 2024, amassing 34 appearances across all competitions and contributing a couple of assists. He also boasts silverware, having been part of Milan’s Supercoppa Italiana–winning squad in 2024–25.
On the club’s official website, Tiago Pinto, Bournemouth’s President of Football Operations, welcomed the signing, saying: “Álex is a highly regarded young player who has already shown great promise at AC Milan. We are delighted to bring a player with such talent into the club and we believe he will be a strong addition to our squad. We’re looking forward to working with him once he returns from international duty with Spain.”
Jiménez also spoke of his excitement and ambition. The Spain youth international said: “I’m very happy. I’m excited about this project and that they’ve welcomed me so well. I can’t wait to start training with the team and playing with the team. It has always been one of my dreams to play in the Premier League and as long as I can fulfill a dream, I will be happy.”
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola now gains a player of considerable versatility. Capable of operating as a right or left-back, wing-back, or even further forward as a winger, Jiménez adds valuable tactical flexibility. He’s expected to compete for the right-back role, potentially challenging Julian Araujo and providing support amid Adam Smith’s current injury concerns.
This move forms part of a broader summer recruitment drive by Bournemouth, who have already invested in several new faces to bolster their squad. Key acquisitions include left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes, centre-back Bafodé Diakité from Lille, goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea, winger Ben Gannon Doak from Liverpool, and Amine Adli from Bayer Leverkusen. Jiménez represents their sole loan move to date.
The latter half of August and early September have seen the Cherries in confident form domestically, currently sitting seventh in the Premier League standings following notable victories over Wolves and Tottenham. Though Jiménez must wait until after the international break to make his debut, fans with keen eyes can anticipate his first appearance when the club hosts Brighton at Dean Court on 13 September.