Jack Cork’s in the shop window

And the club will continue to monitor him during the UEFA European Under-21 Championships in Denmark, which kick-off on Saturday.

Chelsea midfielder Cork has spent the last season-and-a-half on loan with Burnley, and has accepted he will leave Stamford Bridge this summer for regular first-team football.

Burnley face stern competition for his signature, with Southampton and Blackpool, among others, eyeing a move for Cork, who turns 22 on the day of the final in Aarhus.

There are no further developments as regards the future of Cork, going into the tournament.

But Howe has despatched a scout to keep tabs on him, and also to eye up other potential signings, at a competition that features the hosts, Switzerland, Iceland, Belarus, England, Ukraine, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Howe, who has predominantly worked the domestic transfer market with both Bournemouth and, so far, Burnley, hopes he can unearth some talent.

He said: “I watched Jack for the Under-21s at Southampton on Sunday, and we’ll have someone out in Denmark as well.

“It’s two-fold. We’ll have a look at Jack over there and see what else interests us.

“It’s part of our belief and philosophy working with young players and improving them, and obviously everyone at the tournament is an ideal age.

“There is obviously a lot of quality on show, and it’s a good opportunity to see if we can find some talent – the next generation.

“We’re always looking, although it’s easier said than done to sign them after spotting them, as there will be competition.”

That being the case, without the superpowers, holders Germany, Italy, France and Holland, there are less well-tapped nations on show.

Howe was present at Deepdale in March to see an impressive Iceland beat England Under-21s 3-2, and, Iceland will be in action again in Denmark.

They already have a number of players who play or have played in this country – West Ham’s Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Coventry’s Aron Gunnarsson, and Hoffenheim’s former Reading forward Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Howe added: “Football in most countries now has come on leaps and bounds, and there are good young players in every country now.

“The less-renowned countries could be an avenue we will look down for untapped talent.

“But we would only want to sign players who we think can adapt to the English game.

“It’s different to most leagues around the world, so there are risks in signing foreign talent.

“You have to have total belief in the players you are signing, that they will suit our game.

“And there is likely to be a bedding-in period – it can take British players time to settle in at a new club, never mind foreign players.

“At Bournemouth we totally concentrated on British talent, as we felt that suited us and our budget better.

“But I think you have to expand your horizons, do your homework and get your scouts out and about.”