West Ham United are once again being linked with Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke ahead of the January transfer window.
According to The Mirror, the Hammers are ready to make another approach for the 26-year-old after falling short with a £40million summer bid.
West Ham manager David Moyes is apparently eager to add another centre-forward to his squad after failing to replace Gianluca Scamacca following his move to Atalanta.
Hammers forward Danny Ings could also potentially depart in January if a suitable offer arrives, providing a replacement can be sourced, according to The Mirror.
West Ham are seemingly eager to sign a player who teammate Marcus Tavernier has described as “one of the best strikers in the league.”
‘He doesn’t get the credit he deserves’
Solanke has netted six goals in 12 Premier League outings for the Cherries this term. This tally includes an impressive brace in the 2-0 triumph over Newcastle just before the international break.
Tavernier, speaking to the Bournemouth Echo ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United, couldn’t sing his teammate’s praises highly enough.
“I see it every day in training, his quality,” he said of the reported West Ham target.
“I have no doubt when he is through one-on-one on goal he’s going to score. I’m more surprised when he misses them!
“He’s been great for us. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves sometimes, I feel like. I think he’s one of the best strikers in the league.
“Although he doesn’t get his recognition, being the club we are, I feel like he’s onto big things in the near future.”
West Ham will struggle to strike Solanke deal in January – TBR View
Solanke is a quality striker, but it’ll be interesting to see whether West Ham manage to sign him in January.
You’ll struggle to find any club – beyond one that’s struggling financially – who’ll willingly part company with one of their main sources of goal, smack bang in the middle of the season. Especially when the club in question is battling relegation.
And it’s not like Solanke’s contract is in its last 18 months – he only penned a new deal in September, and this ties him to the club until the summer of 2027.
This is the sort of deal that could well happen in the summer, once the Cherries know where they stand league-wise, but it seems very unlikely that they’d sell him in January.
Willingly selling a player who could well be the difference between them playing in the Premier League and Championship next season is just lunacy.