Bournemouth captain Simon Francis has insisted that his team have the credentials to break into the top eight in the Premier League next season.

The Cherries finished ninth in England's top flight last term, but Francis has claimed that head coach Eddie Howe's signings since the summer transfer window opened last month have shown the club's ambition.

Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake have both joined Bournemouth from Chelsea this summer, while Jermain Defoe has made the move from Sunderland, which Francis believes has sent out a message ahead of the new season.

"Eddie always wants to improve, he always wants to better himself and better us as a team. I think he has made a statement with the signings he has made. There have been some big signings coming in," Francis told talkSPORT.

"We are always looking to improve. We had a great finish last season - that was fantastic for the club. We improved on our first season in the Premier League. That was always the aim last season and we want to do it again this season.

"That is the mind-set we have as a squad and as a club. Over the five, six years I have been here that has always been the belief we have had in the group and we want to push on again next season. If we have a successful season again, there is no reason why we can't break into the top eight. I really do believe that."

Bournemouth finished level on points with eighth-placed Sunderland in the Premier League table last season, only missing out to their rivals on goal difference.