Bournemouth fancy former Man City defender Richards

Richards has been at Manchester City since 2005, but has spent most of this season at loan at Fiorentina.

The 26-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements at the Etihad, and the defender is not expecting to be handed a new deal by manager Manuel Pellegrini, leading to much interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Sunderland were said to have made a move last week, but it is confirmed that both Bournemouth and Watford, newly promoted to the Premier League, are also in the running to sign the former England international.

Richards is keen to move back to England and show his worth to national boss Roy Hodgson but his wage demands could pose a problem for interested clubs.

Arsenal and Liverpool have both been interested in the past but a move to the former is unlikely.