STEVE Cook insisted his long-term future lay at Dean Court after fresh speculation linked the Cherries star with a Premier League switch.

The Lancashire Telegraph yesterday reported that the centre-back – who signed a three-year deal last summer – was a target for Burnley and four other top-flight clubs.

However, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, the 23-year-old stressed that he would remain in Dorset and would keep his focus firmly away from transfer talk.

Cook said: “I’m a Bournemouth player and I would have thought I’d be here for a long time. Unless I get told differently, I won’t have any other opinion on that.

“It’s always nice to hear speculation so it’s a positive in that way but I have a job to do with this club. I will try not to pay too much attention to it.

“I won’t be getting carried away with all the speculation because we have a job to do and that’s Rotherham away at the weekend.

“I want to get back to winning ways with Bournemouth and, hopefully, make the step up to the Premier League with them.

“The main person I want to impress is the manager here, so as long as I do that, I will be pleased.”

Cook, a £170,000 signing from Brighton in January 2012, had been linked with a move to a string of clubs prior to penning a new deal in July.

Crystal Palace, West Brom, Norwich and Wolves were all thought to be keen on the classy defender.

Speaking about the current campaign, Cook added: “When you’re in a great position with a club and sitting at the top of the league, speculation is always going to happen.

“I’ve come a long way from playing non-league football so it was always the dream to be in the situation I am now.

“I feel like I can improve on recent performances and that’s what I will be looking to do.”