Cape Town - Bournemouth chairperson Jeff Mostyn has told Arsenal in no uncertain terms that manager Eddie Howe is not available to take over from Arsene Wenger.
Wenger has been with Arsenal since 1996, but with the trophies drying up and his transfer dealings often criticised, the Frenchmen may not be with the north London club for too much longer.
And on Wednesday, the Sun newspaper made claims that the Gunners were targeting the 38-year-old Howe as a possible replacement for Wenger.
But Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn was quick to rule out that possibility.
"We have a man of immense talent and any man of talent, whatever business you are in, is always going to be sought after," Mostyn told TalkSPORT website.
"We see that very much as a compliment. But Eddie is a Bournemouth boy through and through. He has been with the football club since he was 10.
"There is unfinished business. He wants to ensure that if and when he does move on he will leave a legacy.
"A legacy that will ensure AFC Bournemouth are a Premier League side, not a side that is aspiring to retain its position every year.
"He has made it clear that over the next two or three years hopefully we can establish ourselves as a thoroughbred Premier League side and only then would he consider moving on," the chairman concluded.
Howe was the youngest manager in the Football League when he got the Bournemouth job in January 2009, the club then in the fourth tier. In two spells at the club, he has secured three promotions.
Wenger has been with Arsenal since 1996, but with the trophies drying up and his transfer dealings often criticised, the Frenchmen may not be with the north London club for too much longer.
And on Wednesday, the Sun newspaper made claims that the Gunners were targeting the 38-year-old Howe as a possible replacement for Wenger.
But Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn was quick to rule out that possibility.
"We have a man of immense talent and any man of talent, whatever business you are in, is always going to be sought after," Mostyn told TalkSPORT website.
"We see that very much as a compliment. But Eddie is a Bournemouth boy through and through. He has been with the football club since he was 10.
"There is unfinished business. He wants to ensure that if and when he does move on he will leave a legacy.
"A legacy that will ensure AFC Bournemouth are a Premier League side, not a side that is aspiring to retain its position every year.
"He has made it clear that over the next two or three years hopefully we can establish ourselves as a thoroughbred Premier League side and only then would he consider moving on," the chairman concluded.
Howe was the youngest manager in the Football League when he got the Bournemouth job in January 2009, the club then in the fourth tier. In two spells at the club, he has secured three promotions.