FORMER Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp insists Jordon Ibe has greater natural ability than Raheem Sterling and says Cherries' new winger could double in value in the next two years.

Cherries yesterday completed the club-record signing of Ibe for a fee believed to be around £15million, the 20-year-old putting the finishing touches to a four-year deal after jetting to the club's pre-season training camp in Chicago.

Pundit Redknapp, who earned a move to Anfield after starring for Cherries in the early 1990s, believes England under-21 international Ibe will flourish in Dorset and predicts the winger's price tag will soar as a result.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Redknapp said: "I think it's a great piece of business for Bournemouth. Although it's a lot of money, when you look at the current climate he is the sort of player who in a couple of years could be worth double that because he's got fantastic pace and can dribble and shoot.

"I'd like to see him add more goals to his game but I think he'll be a fantastic signing and especially given he will be working with Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall, who get the best out of young players.

"Bournemouth is a great place to learn and develop and he fits what the club wants. Before you know it, he could be in the England squad.

"I think he has more natural ability than Raheem Sterling. Anything Raheem Sterling struggles with, Jordon Ibe can do.

"I would hate to play against him with his pace and power."

Former Wycombe Wanderers man Ibe struggled to hold down a regular starting berth at Liverpool following the appointment of boss Jurgen Klopp in October.

Redknapp insists Ibe will soon gain the confidence required to perform regularly at the top of his game.

He added: "Sometimes when a young player goes to a big club, you can get lost a bit. He was in Raheem Sterling's shadow when he first got in the team and then had a couple of games where it didn't really work out.

"When a new manager comes in and they make their mind up on you, it makes it difficult. He is missing one vital ingredient which he will get in abundance at Bournemouth and that's confidence.

"If he gets belief into his game, Bournemouth will have signed an absolute winner."

Ibe was given his Premier League debut by Brendan Rodgers in a 1-0 win over relegated QPR on the last day of the 2012-13 season.

He scored his first goal for the Reds in the 1-0 Europa League victory over Rubin Kazan in November, bursting superbly forward from midfield and rifling into the net off the left post.

The youngster scored a similarly spectacular goal in the 1-1 draw with West Brom on the final day of the Premier League campaign when he charged inside off the right flank and swept into the corner.