Tottenham Hotspur has finalized a £65 million deal with Bournemouth for striker Dominic Solanke. The agreement includes an initial payment of £55 million, with an additional £10 million available through performance-related bonuses.
Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has been focusing on strengthening the center-forward position this summer, particularly after losing Harry Kane last year. Reports indicate that Solanke had a £65 million release clause in his contract if he received interest from a major Premier League club.
Liverpool stands to benefit financially from the transfer as well, potentially receiving £10 million due to a sell-on clause included in Solanke’s contract. The 26-year-old forward previously played for Liverpool, appearing 27 times during the 2017/18 season.
Despite his strong performance last season, where he scored 19 Premier League goals, Solanke missed Bournemouth’s pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano due to a foot injury. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola described Solanke as pivotal to their success, stating, “It’s obvious, Dom is the most important player for us. It’s not just the goals; he significantly contributes to our build-up and pressing game.”
A Needed Addition for Spurs
Postecoglou emphasized the need for another striker in his squad when speaking to football.london, noting, “We demand certain physical and technical attributes from our forwards, and we need someone who fits that mold. Currently, the striker position is where we are thinnest in terms of squad depth.”
Analysis: Solanke Perfect for Spurs
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith commented on Solanke’s potential impact for Spurs, stating, “Tottenham has been in desperate need of a quality center forward since selling Harry Kane last summer. While Richarlison and Heung-min Son have filled that role at times, Son excels as a winger, and Richarlison’s reliability has been inconsistent.”
With Spurs returning to European competition and striving for a strong league finish, Solanke emerges as an ideal solution. Smith noted, “Scoring 19 goals for Bournemouth last season, Solanke is now entering his prime at age 26. He is a proven box finisher, with 17 of his goals coming from inside the area, making him well-suited to capitalize on the numerous crosses Spurs deliver.”
With this acquisition, Tottenham aims to solidify their attacking options for the upcoming season.
Credit: Sky Sports
