EDDIE Howe dismissed speculation linking defender Steve Cook with Everton and insisted his focus was on adding "quality" to his Cherries squad.

Reports this week suggested Cook was a target for the ambitious Merseyside club, whose boss Ronald Koeman looks set to be heavily backed by billionaire majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri in this summer's transfer market.

The magnificent form of Premier League ever-present Cook has led to him being tipped as a candidate for England recognition.

And Howe – who has also had to contend with rumours that West Ham will launch a big-money raid for striker Joshua King – is intent on keeping his best players at Vitality Stadium.

He told the Daily Echo: "Steve is a massive part of our future.

"I think that type of speculation is part of the game. It doesn’t matter what level you are at, the Premier League or the Championship – if you have players consistently performing well then they will attract attention from other clubs.

"But our focus is on keeping the squad together, adding quality to the squad and trying to build the club."