Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has denied reports claiming that the club have made an enquiry for Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke.
Reports emerged earlier this week that the Magpies had stepped up their interest in the 26-year-old, who had been identified as a striker that could provide competition for Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.
Both Isak and Wilson have suffered with injuries this season, particularly the latter who is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem, although Howe has revealed that he is closing in on a return.
Solanke was signed by Howe at Bournemouth from Liverpool for around £19m in January 2019, and he has since established himself as an integral player at the Vitality Stadium.
The striker has scored 69 goals and registered 28 assists in 196 appearances for the Cherries across competitions, and he has particularly impressed for Andoni Iraola's side in the Premier League this season.
Indeed, Solanke has scored 12 goals in 19 Premier League games this term – only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah (both 14) have scored more thus far – to help Bournemouth climb to 12th in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
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After scoring six goals in as many top-flight games in December, Solanke was named the Premier League's Player of the Month on Friday, becoming the first-ever Bournemouth player to win the award.
Solanke's impressive form is believed to have caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs including Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but the manager of the former has played down such speculation.
Asked directly about Solanke at a press conference on Friday ahead of Newcastle's Premier League clash with Manchester City on Saturday, Howe said: "It's a frustrating story.
"I love Solanke, I signed him for Bournemouth and rate him very highly. But we have not made an enquiry for him and we don't have the ability to sign a player of that level."
Howe has also expressed his and the club's frustration over their inability to conduct business freely in the January transfer window due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
The Newcastle boss has responded to comments made by the club's CEO Darren Eales, who has admitted that the Magpies could look to sell a few of their star players if they wish to break into the Premier League's top six on a regular basis.
Howe's side, who have been hampered with injuries throughout this season, currently sit ninth in the table and 11 points adrift of the top four.
Oliver Thomas
