SIRIKI Dembele’s absence from Cherries’ Carabao Cup win over Norwich was due to a “possibility” he may leave Cherries, according to boss Scott Parker.

January signing Dembele was not involved in a heavily rotated side away at Carrow Road, with fellow fringe player Emi Marcondes on the score sheet in the first-half, as well as Norwich’s Jordan Hugill.

Late goals from Canaries’ Adam Idah and Cherries debutant Brooklyn Genesini sent the game to penalties, with Ryan Christie scoring the winning spot-kick.

Whilst the Daily Echo understands Jamal Lowe’s late drop out is due to illness, there have been reports that Dembele is close to securing a move to Turkish giants Besiktas.

Football Insider have reported that the winger will join Besiktas on an initial loan deal with £500k, with the option to make the transfer a permanent one for £2.5 million.

Although he did not confirm the exact club interested, Parker admitted that there was a transfer deal in the offing.

He shared: “There's a possibility that Siriki might leave the football club, so that's probably the main reason in that sense.

“Things are brewing a little bit for Siriki in terms of wanting minutes and playing time this year.

“That may not suit him, so there may be an option that he does leave.”

A deadline day signing from Peterborough in January, the 25-year-old made 13 appearances last term in the Championship, scoring twice.

Whilst he has been named on the bench in all three of Cherries’ Premier League fixtures so far, he is yet to make his debut in England’s top-flight.