Former Chelsea & Liverpool star set for Premier League move amid Arsenal interest

Cameron Smith

19 Nov 2023 14:46 GMT
3 min read

Mikael Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © ProShots

West Ham United are targeting a move for Bournemouth star Dominic Solanke after seeing a bid of nearly €45 million turned down during the summer.

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The Englishman, who spent time at Chelsea and Liverpool before joining the Cherries, has scored seven goals in all competitions so far this season, including a brace against Newcastle United before the November international break.

The Mirror have reported that West Ham attempted to sign Solanke this summer, but were unsuccessful with a bid worth up to €45m. However, David Moyes’ side reportedly remain keen on the Bournemouth forward and are ready to return with another offer.

FootballTransfers understand the Hammers are set to sign a long-term replacement for Michail Antonio during the January window.

The Jamaica international has started 11 Premier League games this season, but is yet to start a Europa League game and was benched for West Ham’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest last time out.

Sources have told us that Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and PSG’s Hugo Ekitike are both of interest to West Ham as they search for a new striker, while Solanke is reportedly on their radar too, as per The Mirror.

However, Bournemouth don’t want to sell Solanke and given he has over three years left on his current deal, they are under no pressure to sell one of their biggest assets.

© ProShots - Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth

Furthermore, The Mirror have reported that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid have all scouted Solanke this season as Europe’s biggest clubs begin to circle.

Solanke to leave Bournemouth?

Solanke, 26, was seen as one of the best prospects to emerge from Chelsea’s Cobham academy during his time with the Blues, but he made just one senior appearance before joining Liverpool in 2017.

While he played 27 times for the Reds, Solanke was unable to establish himself as a regular and had netted just one goal for the club when Bournemouth paid €21.2m to sign him in January 2019.

He scored six goals and provided seven assists in the Premier League last season and has already matched that goal tally in just 12 league games this campaign.