Bournemouth defender Simon Francis admitted that attracting good players to the club could depend on being prepared to pay 'big money' in the transfer market.

He told the Daily Echo: "We want to be able to attract those kind of players. We feel like we're getting there with bringing Benik Afobe in and also Juan Iturbe and Lewis Grabban.

"I don't necessarily think it's all about the money but sometimes you are going to have to pay big money for the players you need.

"We're under no illusions that it's going to cost millions to build a top squad to compete. But everyone knows about the backing we have with the owner and investors."