### Tottenham Hotspur Eyeing Striker to Boost Goals, but Complications Arise
Tottenham Hotspur are in dire need of a striker, a need that remains pressing more than two months after the disappointing end of the 2023/24 season. Despite scoring 15 goals in five pre-season friendlies, manager Ange Postecoglou wants Son Heung-Min to play as a left winger and needs a reliable number nine. This is where Dominic Solanke comes into the picture.
Last season, Spurs had the lowest goal tally among the top seven teams, with only two players—Son and Richarlison—reaching double figures in league goals. While Son performed admirably as a makeshift striker, it created a vacancy elsewhere. Richarlison’s inconsistency has tested Postecoglou’s patience. In contrast, Solanke scored 19 goals for a less creatively robust team.
Reports, including from the Metro, suggest Spurs have approached Bournemouth about signing Solanke, aiming to secure a deal below his £65 million release clause. TeamTalk has even hinted Spurs might include one of their surplus players to lower the price further.
Despite being linked with other clubs, Spurs are the first and only team to make a move for Solanke. Other teams may be deterred by his high price tag, his single standout Premier League season, or his specialized skill set. However, his ability to find and exploit spaces and score goals could be precisely what Spurs need.
With creative talents like Son, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, and Dejan Kulusevski, Spurs have the support cast to feed a capable striker. Solanke’s knack for getting into scoring positions makes him a valuable target, even if his technical skills and finishing can be inconsistent.
A bid for Solanke makes sense on multiple levels. While there are arguments for other options and questions about the cost, including one of Spurs’ many unwanted players in the deal could ease the financial burden.
Potential makeweights include Sergio Reguilón and Djed Spence, full-backs on loan last year; midfielders Oliver Skipp and Giovani Lo Celso, lower in the pecking order; and young striker Alejo Véliz, who struggled in his first season. Bournemouth could potentially choose from these options.
While Bournemouth may not need a full-back urgently, given Milos Kerkez and Adam Smith’s performances, Spence could be a younger alternative. Véliz could be a replacement for Solanke but needs more development. Midfielders like Skipp and Lo Celso could also be valuable, with Lo Celso particularly fitting a creative number ten role in Bournemouth’s potential new system.
Alternatively, Bournemouth could opt for cash to make their own signings. However, with Tottenham’s surplus players and Bournemouth’s potential needs, a mutually beneficial deal could be struck. Even if the clubs prefer separate transactions over a direct part-exchange, don’t be surprised if Solanke’s move to Spurs sees another player heading to Bournemouth.
