Ange Postecoglou has secured his desired player.
The Australian head coach of Tottenham Hotspur sought a new leading striker, a year after the departure of club legend and former England captain, Harry Kane.
According to widespread reports, Spurs are on the verge of signing their top target, Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth.
While Solanke possesses a £65 million ($A126m) release clause, negotiations suggest a deal might be finalized for a slightly lower fee. Regardless, this transfer will set a new record for Bournemouth.
A product of Chelsea’s academy who faced challenges at Liverpool, Solanke enjoyed a breakout season with 19 Premier League goals, narrowly missing an England call-up for the Euros.
Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, his ability to link up play aligns perfectly with Postecoglou’s dynamic attacking philosophy.
Speaking on Friday, Postecoglou remarked, “I’ve always believed that with the right recruitment, any player can make an immediate impact.
“We brought in Mickey van de Ven just three days before last year’s opener against Brentford, and he seamlessly integrated.
“Our focus is on identifying players compatible with our football style. While some adjustment is expected, we aim for them to contribute immediately.
“That’s the standard we set when signing someone—they should be ready to make an impact from day one.”
However, he stressed that new signings shouldn’t be burdened with the task of replacing Kane.
“Last year demonstrated our offensive threat even without Harry. He’s a once-in-a-generation talent, irreplaceable in many ways, but comparisons are inevitable,” Postecoglou added.
“It’s clear from our style that we don’t depend on a single player. When we’re in full flow, goals can come from various sources.
“Hopefully, our striker will both benefit from and contribute to our system.”
In other news, Chelsea’s already bloated squad is set to expand further with the imminent signing of winger Pedro Neto from Wolves.
This acquisition would mark their ninth of the transfer window, even as the club grapples with managing nearly 45 contracted players.
Reports indicate that Chelsea has agreed to a deal worth up to £54m ($A105m) for Neto and is also nearing the signing of striker Samu Omorodion from Atlético Madrid for a reported £34.5m.
The 24-year-old Portuguese international, Neto, despite battling injuries over the past three seasons, has showcased significant talent and made a notable impression at the Euros.
