Alex Jimenez to seal surprise Fiorentina transfer with investigation ongoing

Bournemouth defender Alex Jimenez is set to join Fiorentina on a season-long loan, talkSPORT understands.

The Italian club will have a €20million (£17m) option to make it a permanent move, with Bournemouth to receive 30 per cent of any future sale.

Getty

Jimenez moved to the Cherries on loan from AC Milan on deadline day last summer with an obligation to buy at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Bournemouth triggered Jimenez’s buy clause in February, with the move ratified on July 1.

Why is Alex Jimenez under investigation?

The 21-year-old’s switch to Fiorentina means he will continue to play football despite suspended by Bournemouth pending the club’s investigation into social media allegations.

Jimenez was dropped from Bournemouth’s squad in May after he was accused of exchanging inappropriate messages with a young girl.

In a statement, the Cherries confirmed they were ‘aware of posts circulating on social media’ involving Jimenez.

The statement added: “The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated.”

As a result, Jimenez was not included in any of Bournemouth’s matchday squads for the final three games of the 2025/26 season.

Jimenez featured 31 times in the Premier League for the Cherries, 26 of which were starts.

His only goal of the campaign came in a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool on January 24.

How did Bournemouth perform last season?

Bournemouth finished in sixth spot in the 2025/26 season with 57 points – just three behind fifth-placed Liverpool.

It marked the Cherries’ best-ever season in club history and secured them a spot in the 2026/27 Europa League.

However, Bournemouth will have to build on their record-breaking campaign without Andoni Iraola.

The Spaniard opted not to extend his contract, which brought an end to his three-year stay at the club.

Iraola has since been appointed as Liverpool manager, succeeding Arne Slot.

The vacancy at the Vitality Stadium was filled by former RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose.

Rose’s first competitive test as Cherries manager comes against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on August 23.