Bournemouth star Max Gradel's season 'ended by juju witchcraft'

Bournemouth's £7m signing Max Gradel is the apparent victim of a family curse after falling out with his family in the Ivory Coast, according to a report in The Sun.

The injury curse at Premier League new boys Bournemouth might be just that.

Record signings Tyrone Mings (£8m) and Max Gradel (£7m) have been ruled out for the season with serious knee injuries, as his top scorer Callum Wilson.

Add to that key men Danny Arter and Tommy Elphick, it’s easy to see why Cherries fans feel the world is against them.

But a report in today’s Sun claims that Gradel – who joined from St Etienne in the summer – is the victim of juju witchcraft after “abandoning” his relatives in the Ivory Coast.

Gradel apparently fell out with his uncles and sisters after signing for Eddie Howe’s side and suffered the injury on August 29.

He suffered a similar injury after a previous rift but made up and went on to win the Africa Cup of Nations with his country two years ago.

A source told The Sun: “Gradel’s family has been working spiritually against him.

“He had risen from the ashes as a result of reuniting with his family and he told the he would never become estranged from them again.

“But Gradel must have been bewitched, as after he joined Bournemouth he turned his back once more.

“He clashed with elder sister Deborah and argued with uncles. He was oblivious to the poverty his sisters live in.

“Gradel lost his mother eight years ago. He’s never been to her grave, never mind having a suitable tombstone put up for her.”

“He clashed with elder sister Deborah and argued with uncles. He was oblivious to the poverty his sisters live in.

“Gradel lost his mother eight years ago. He’s never been to her grave, never mind having a suitable tombstone put up for her.”

A club spokesman said: “This is not something we or Max would comment on.”