EDDIE Howe insisted silence was the best policy regarding media questions over the transfer market and vowed not to get involved in any public pursuits.

Cherries boss Howe has a long-standing position of not commenting on individual targets, insisting it is "hugely disrespectful" to discuss players at other clubs.

Howe signed four players in the summer – Nathan Ake, Asmir Begovic, Jermain Defoe and Connor Mahoney – but made no further additions in January.

He has already been linked with a host of possible summer recruits with former Poole Town striker Charlie Austin, Celtic winger Scott Sinclair and Bristol City's Bobby Reid among them.

Speaking in general about commenting on targets, Howe told the Daily Echo: "I think it's hugely disrespectful to speak about other teams' players.

"How can you enter a discussion about another team's player? I would be very disappointed if another club did that to us.

"I made the decision very early in my management career that I don't think it's right and I don't think it should be done, out of respect for the player, the team and the manager of the other club.

"It can't not work well because you are ending the discussion there and then.

"It doesn't work well for the press because they want to write a story and I understand that, but I don't think it's right."