CHERRIES are tomorrow expected to complete the signing of sought-after defender Diego Rico from La Liga outfit Leganés.

The Daily Echo understands Rico was given permission to speak to Cherries after Leganés had accepted a bid of £10.7million.

Rico, who operates predominantly at left-back, is believed to have held talks with Cherries during their pre-season training camp in La Manga last week.

And having agreed personal terms on a four-year deal, the 25-year-old Spaniard will undergo a medical at Vitality Stadium before completing the signing formalities.

Rico, who joined Leganés from Real Zaragoza for 1.2m euro in 2016, was also a target for Real Sociedad, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund.

Reports earlier today suggested Borussia Dortmund had stolen a march in the race to sign him by tabling a bid.

However, it appears Cherries have already won the race and Rico will become boss Eddie Howe’s second signing of the summer.

He is one of a number of left-backs to have been linked with Cherries this summer, the others being Celtic's Kieran Tierney and Genoa’s Uruguayan international Diego Laxalt.

Rico will provide competition for Charlie Daniels who has been Cherries’ first-choice left-back since joining the club from Leyton Orient for £175,000 in November 2011.

Rico has been one of Leganés’s leading lights and made 33 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring three times and providing two assists.

He also received eight yellow cards and one red as Leganés finished 17th in La Liga.

Born in Burgos, Rico graduated from Burgos Promesas 2000’s youth system before joining Real Zaragoza in June 2011, making his way through their ranks to the first team.

In November 2013, Rico renewed his contract with Real Zaragoza, signing a five-year deal.

He joined Leganés in August 2016, penning a four-year contract before signing an extension 12 months later.

News of Rico’s imminent arrival confirmed recent reports linking Cherries with a £57m double swoop for World Cup stars Jefferson Lerma and Laxalt were wide of the mark, as revealed by the Daily Echo last week.

The Sun had claimed Cherries were “making a record £32m bid for Colombian World Cup midfielder Jefferson Lerma” and added Howe “could follow that up with a £25m swoop for Uruguay’s brilliant left-back Diego Laxalt”.

Lerma is understood to still be a possible target for Cherries. The versatile 23-year-old helped Colombia reach the last 16 of the World Cup where they eventually went out on penalties to England.