Bournemouth defender Alex Jimenez has joined Italian Serie A club Fiorentina on a season-long loan, with an option for the Italian club to make the move permanent for €20 million (£17 million). The deal allows Jimenez to continue playing while Bournemouth conducts an investigation into allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a 15-year-old girl.
Jimenez has not played for Bournemouth since the club initiated its probe on May 8, following the circulation of social media posts that reportedly showed him exchanging messages with an underage girl. The alleged messages included discussions about meeting up, with the girl stating she was 15 during the exchange. There is no indication that Jimenez ever met the girl.
Bournemouth confirmed the investigation in May and subsequently excluded the 21-year-old Spain Under-21 international from their Premier League squad against Fulham. A club statement at the time stated, "AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Alex Jimenez. The club understands the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated. As a result, Alex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow's Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time."
Jimenez remained unavailable for Bournemouth's final two matches of the season, draws against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest. Before the investigation began, he had featured in all but one of the club's league games.
Jimenez began his career with Real Madrid Castilla before moving to AC Milan in the summer of 2023. He initially joined Bournemouth on a season-long loan in September and completed a permanent transfer five months later. During his first season with the club, under manager Andoni Iraola, Jimenez made 32 appearances and scored his first goal for Bournemouth in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool.