EDDIE Howe has played down transfer rumours linking Jordon Ibe with a move away from the club.

The Cherries winger, 23, was yesterday linked with a loan move to Celtic, according to a report in The Sun.

Ibe has just a year left on his contract at Vitality Stadium and was an unused substitute for Saturday's Premier League opener against Sheffield United.

The transfer window is closed to incoming players in England, but clubs can still sell to other leagues across Europe, including the Scottish Premiership, until September 2.

Asked if Ibe could leave the club in the next few weeks, boss Howe said: "No, Jordon is an integral part of our squad."

Napoli, Fiorentina and Espanyol having also reportedly "shown interest" in Ibe, as well as Turkish side Galatasaray.

Ibe had previously in the summer been linked with Derby, Middlesbrough and Newcastle before the transfer window in England slammed shut, but the Daily Echo understood that the winger was not keen on a long-distance move so close to the deadline.

London-born Ibe joined Cherries from Liverpool for around £13million in 2016. He has made 88 appearances, scoring five goals.