Wellington Phoenix keeper Alex Paulsen reportedly agrees terms for big English Premier League move

Saturday, 1 June 2024

Wellington Phoenix keeper Alex Paulsen is set for a career-defining move to the English Premier League in a deal worth more than $4 million.

The 21-year-old shot stopper has reportedly agreed to terms for a three-year deal with Bournemouth and the paperwork is being finalised, according to the UK’s Sky Sports.

Bournemouth’s bid was reportedly worth £850,000 (NZ$1.77m) and could rise to £2 million (NZ$4.2m) with bonuses. It’s the sort of deal neither the Phoenix nor Paulsen can turn down.

Sky Sports also reported that Chelsea and Liverpool had shown interest in the All Whites stopper.

Paulsen was in goal for the A-League All Stars in last Friday’s exhibition match against Premier League side Newcastle United after a breakout campaign for the Phoenix, who finished second in the A-League before losing to Melbourne Victory in the semifinals.

He didn’t have a busy night against a youthful Newcastle team, as the All Stars won 8-0 in Melbourne, but the Aucklander has clearly impressed Premier League scouts.

Paulsen was also among the five Phoenix players named in the A-League team of the season, along with Tim Payne, Scott Wootton, Alex Rufer and Kosta Barbarouses.

Bournemouth are continuing to punch above their weight in England’s top flight and finished 12th in their latest season.

They are nowhere the stature of giant clubs such as Chelsea and Liverpool but have spent seven of the last nine seasons competing in the Premier League.

Nicknamed The Cherries and based on England’s south coast, their average home attendance is about 11,000.

The club is owned by American businessman Bill Foley, who is also the owner of New Zealand’s next A-League team, Auckland FC, who are joining the competition next season.