Bournemouth have confirmed that defender Álex Jiménez will be absent from Saturday's Premier League fixture against Fulham as the club conducts an internal investigation into social media posts linked to the player.

The 21-year-old Spaniard has been a key figure for Andoni Iraola's side this season, featuring in 32 matches across all competitions and starting each of Bournemouth's last five league games. His absence comes at a critical time for the Cherries, who sit sixth in the Premier League table and are chasing a historic first-ever qualification for European competition.

While reports online have suggested the investigation concerns alleged messages involving underage girls, the club has not publicly confirmed the specific nature of the posts. Bournemouth released a brief statement confirming only that an internal investigation is ongoing, with no further details provided at this stage.

Jiménez joined Bournemouth permanently from AC Milan in February after an initial loan spell, signing a long-term contract that runs through 2031. Before his time in Italy, he spent a decade developing in Real Madrid's renowned academy system, which has produced countless top-tier talents.

With the investigation still underway, it remains uncertain when—or if—Jiménez will return to first-team action this season. For now, Bournemouth must focus on maintaining their impressive league form without one of their most consistent performers.