Premier League side AFC Bournemouth announced yesterday that Tiago Pinto would be joining the club as their President of Football Operations in preparation for the summer transfer window.

We're delighted to welcome our new president of football operations, Tiago Pinto 🤝

He will start in his role next week and will work with the club’s chief executive Neill Blake and technical director Simon Francis on all football matters.

Welcome, Tiago 🍒 pic.twitter.com/fMheEM6301

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 24, 2024

AFC Bournemouth chairman and owner Bill Foley said: “We’re excited to bring Tiago to the club. Neill and Simon have worked closely with him on a number of deals in recent seasons and have always been very impressed by him.”

Pinto joins the Cherries having been in similar roles at Benfica and more recently Roma.

Bournemouth were not the only Premier League side interested in him however. According to reports both Newcastle and Manchester United had made contact with the 39-year-old before he decided to join the Cherries.

High Profile Signings

Paulo Dybala to Roma, here we go! Full agreement in place on a three year contract, valid until 2025. Dybala will join as free agent 🚨🟡🔴 #ASRoma @SkySport

Mourinho, key factor - he called Dybala to explain the project. All the documents being prepared, free transfer imminent. pic.twitter.com/qZaYmp5VqD

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 18, 2022

While at Roma, Pinto helped the club to two successive European finals, winning the UEFA Conference League in 2022, and reaching the Europa League final last season.

The biggest piece of business that he made at Roma was managing to sign Juventus star Paulo Dybala in 2022 for free. Since then Dybala has been instrumental in the Roma side, despite a mediocre season for the club this year.

The Dybala signing seems to be a sort of trademark for Pinto, as he has often signed experienced players for free. Houssem Aouar, Nemanja Matic and Andrea Belotti all exemplify this and in recent weeks Bournemouth have been linked with Joel Matip, another Pinto-esque signing.

High Profile Sales

OFFICIAL: Atletico Madrid confirm Joao Felix has joined the club 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/w2JyA8Gyh7

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 3, 2019

In his time in Italy, Pinto was known more for the players he convinced to sign, but if we look back at his time at Benfica, it becomes obvious that his strengths lie in player sales.

The 39-year-old had a hand in the sales of Ederson and Ruben Dias to Manchester City, Victor Lindolf to Manchester United, and Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid, all for eye-watering fees. For a club like Bournemouth that struggle to sell their players for more than just spare change, Pinto looks exciting.

Previous Dealings with Bournemouth

Zaniolo commented news of Tiago Pinto joining Bournemouth: “Time always tells the truth. Everything comes back to haunt you.” https://t.co/KJFM6Vf1LX

— RomaPress (@ASRomaPress) May 23, 2024

In Bournemouth owner Foley's statement, he mentioned Pinto’s recent dealings with the club that had impressed him. 18 months ago, Bournemouth signed Matias Vina on loan from Roma and were interested in Nicolo Zaniolo.

It is in the Zaniolo saga that Bournemouth fans may recognise the name Pinto, as he commented on the Italian midfielder’s work ethic saying: “If one wants to leave and has offers from Galatasaray and Bournemouth only, he has to ask himself some questions.”

Zaniolo has since hit back on social media, mocking Pinto’s move to the Premier League side.

Bournemouth have ambitions to break into the top half of the Premier League next season, and Pinto looks like an excellent addition to their hierarchy.