Bournemouth continue to defy the odds in the Premier League and manager Eddie Howe deserves all the credit in the world for ensuring that the Cherries have maintained their top flight status.

Howe has already had a busy summer this time around, adding Sheffield United midfielder David Brooks to the squad for a cool £12m, while also continuing to chase Jefferson Lerma as a big money capture.

It's a testament to Howe and the club that they are linked with such talent nowadays, and things are certainly continuing to look up for the club.

However, there is a feeling that they need to keep on adding top quality players to the ranks in order to stay ahead of the game somewhat, and we here at the Transfer Tavern think the next step is adding players genuine international and Champions League experience.

One player who fits into the mould of this sort of player is German midfield ace Lars Bender, who has been a mainstay of the Bayer Leverkusen midfield for almost a decade now.

The 29-year-old has been a model of consistency for the German club, and along with brother Sven, has developed a reputation as one of the most reliable performers out in the Bundesliga.

Bender is exactly the sort of player who would be a superb fit for the Cherries. Tough in the tackle, good on the ball with plenty of experience, and good enough to improve the likes of Brooks and Lewis Cook around him, the German international would be quite the capture for Eddie Howe's men.

Bournemouth fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!