CHERRIES are understood to be closing in on the signing of Brad Smith – with boss Eddie Howe admitting he is keen to further bolster his defensive resources.

Australia international Smith could become Cherries’ sixth summer addition after Liverpool apparently accepted a bid for the 22-year-old at the end of last week.

Smith is believed to be preparing to return from Liverpool’s tour of the United States to discuss personal terms and a deal could be finalised in the next few days.

Should he sign, the versatile left-back would become the second Reds player to join Cherries this month following Jordon Ibe’s club record £15m switch.

Smith, who has been capped nine times by his country, progressed through the ranks at Anfield and made his Premier League debut in 2013.

He also played 10 games during a loan spell at Swindon in 2014-15 and caught the eye when he started against Cherries in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Vitality Stadium in April.

News of Cherries’ interest in Smith, who can also operate in midfield and on the wing, was revealed by The Sun on Saturday with the paper reporting the fee could be £6million.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe has signed five players this summer – Nathan Ake on a season-long loan and Emerson Hyndman, Lys Mousset, Lewis Cook and Ibe permanently.

Asked by the Daily Echo following Cherries’ pre-season friendly at Portsmouth whether he had any other irons in the fire, Howe replied: “There are plans.

“We are working behind the scenes to bring new players to the football club. We don’t feel we are done yet. We have areas we need to strengthen so we will wait and see.”

Asked whether he wanted to boost his defensive options, Howe added: “It might be an area we are looking at.

“We need a balanced squad and we need players fighting for every position so I think it is obvious that it is an area we need to improve.”

Skipper Tommy Elphick was sold to Aston Villa last month, while fellow central defender Sylvain Distin left the club at the end of last season.

Adam Smith and Tyrone Mings are both facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the new season and Steve Cook, Baily Cargill and Rhoys Wiggins are all nursing minor injuries.

Howe added: “We had a go last summer to try to make sure we could stay in the division. This summer, we have sold a couple of key players but have replaced them, hopefully, with players of huge potential.

“That’s the beauty of it from my perspective because I can work with such talented young players and, hopefully, get the very best out of them.”

Howe admitted players could “possibly” leave, adding: “As we see the squad settle down and see if we can do any more incoming business, we will see whether we let one or two go.”