Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke but they will now have to battle Tottenham and West Ham United if they wish to land him, claims Football Insider.
The Gunners have been long-term admirers of Solanke – ever since he was playing for the Chelsea youth team but they never tried hard enough to sign him.
Now, that Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are both expected to leave, Arsenal are planning to sign at least two strikers in the summer.
Jesus and Nketiah have both become bench warmers for Arsenal this season and it’s very clear that Mikel Arteta wants them sold asap. The Gunners are eyeing a top-rated centre-forward namely Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko but they are also looking for a super sub.
Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are perhaps more serious about signing Dominic Solanke because both of them need a reliable primary striker next season. If the 26-year-old wants to leave Bournemouth in search of regular game time then Spurs or West Ham will be a more suitable destination for him.
As far as Arsenal are concerned, they are clearly looking at Solanke as a support striker, someone who can come off the bench and score some goals but we doubt if someone who’s netted 17 Premier League goals this season will be eager to play second-fiddle.
During the 21/22 season, he scored 30 goals for the Cherries but last campaign, he could only manage 7 in 35 games across all competitions. This time again, he’s found his form and in 2853 minutes of league football, the ex-Liverpool man has scored 17 and assisted three goals.
Obviously, the lure of Arsenal is undeniable, more so if they can win the Premier League but at Spurs or West Ham, Dominic Solanke will get a lot more game time. If Spurs can get back into the Champions League then the Cherries striker shouldn’t mind joining them.
As far as the finances are concerned, Dominic Solanke is valued at €35 million and his contract with AFC Bournemouth expires in 2027. The Cherries are in no hurry to sell him but a transfer fee in the region of €50-55 million should be able to change their mind.
Spurs and even the Hammers can afford to spend this much on their main striking target but Arsenal will have to be very careful with their finances. Mikel Arteta will get a sizeable transfer budget but apart from two strikers, the manager also needs to sign a new full-back and two or maybe three new midfielders.
