EXCITING talent Sam Matthews set his sights on impressing Eddie Howe after revealing he had always wanted to stay with Cherries amid top-flight interest.

The 16-year-old was understood to have attracted the attention of Manchester United and Fulham before signing a long-term contract at Dean Court.

Since putting pen to paper, Matthews has demonstrated his rich potential by playing an eye-catching role during Cherries’ warm-up campaign this summer.

The Poole-born prospect has also gained plaudits from supporters with some composed performances since being propelled into the first team.

Howe, who handed a new three-year deal to Matthews earlier this month, said he was “as good a 16-year-old as I have seen during my time working in football”. And while the level-headed former Corfe Hills pupil is realistic about the forthcoming season, he is determined to repay Howe’s faith.

Matthews told the Daily Echo: “It is nice to know that he (Howe) is taking an interest in me and allowed me to come in and train. At my age, he didn’t have to include me in any of this.

“For me to make my decision, it made me really comfortable that I knew he was keen to have me at least in training and being around the squad and that he saw me in his picture. That was nice.

“You always want to impress when you are playing. The manager hasn’t seen me loads over the years but he has seen more this season now that I have come in.

“I want to keep improving and learning from him and Jason (Tindall, assistant boss).”

The playmaker, who can operate as a winger or in central midfield, caught the eye of Premier League scouts after being fast-tracked through Cherries’ youth system. Asked about the top-flight interest, Matthews said: “I was informed of it but, to be honest, I was always just focused on playing and training at Bournemouth.

“I have always loved it here and you can’t really let it distract you too much. I kept playing my same game and got on with it and if there were teams interested, it is quite nice for the interest, but I was always keen to try to stay at the club.”

Looking to the season ahead, the former Broadstone player added: “I am really pleased to be involved more than anything. I would like to play as many development squad and reserve games as possible this season and pick up some experience from that. Training with the first team is going to improve me so much so that is the main thing this season. I want to get my head down and keep improving my game.”