STEVE Cook admitted he had been flattered by interest from other clubs – but insisted he planned to stay with Cherries for “years to come”.

Cook has been a colossal presence at the heart of his team's defence this season. If he starts and finishes the match at Leicester on Sunday he will have played every minute of Cherries' Premier League campaign.

And the supporters who voted him as their player of the year are, apparently, not alone in recognising Cook's towering influence on Eddie Howe's side.

The 26-year-old, who has two years remaining on the Vitality Stadium contract he penned 12 months ago, has reportedly caught the eye of Everton, West Brom, Newcastle and Watford.

Cook told the Daily Echo: "I don't really pay attention to that. I love playing for this club, it’s as simple as that. I don’t know what the summer holds but I’m sure something will be sorted.

"I think those sort of rumours are nice but I’m happy here."

Asked if he expected to agree a fresh deal with Cherries during the close season, Cook said: "I don’t know. It’s difficult to say. The lads who have played all season have shown how committed they are to the club.

"I have played here for a long time now. I love living here and I love playing under the manager.

"Until the club stops growing, which I’m sure it won’t, then I’d love to play for Bournemouth and Eddie Howe for years to come."

Cherries paid a paltry £170,000 to sign Cook from Brighton in 2012, following an initial two-month loan spell.

He was an instrumental figure in the club's rise from League One to the Premier League and has developed to the point where boss Howe considers him a future England international.

The centre-back revealed a commitment to self-improvement was behind his superb campaign. Even after playing 36 times as Cherries comfortably survived in their debut top-flight season, he didn't spend too long basking in the moment.

"I put in a lot of work last summer, so I would be ready for this season," said Cook.

"I went to Portugal and took a fitness coach with me, so I trained on my own over there for a while. That’s what it takes and I’ll do the same thing this year.

"Looking after yourself is a huge part of doing well in this league.

"You need to be improving every year. You don’t get long to relax so, yes, it'll be another tough summer."

With Cherries having bettered last season's 16th place and in contention for a top-10 spot, Cook is aware that even more will be demanded of his side next term.

"Football’s like that and our expectations will be higher next year," he added. "Neither the club nor the players have stood still. Everyone is growing.

"But I think we have to enjoy what’s happening now, enjoy Leicester at the weekend, then take it from there."