Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered the race to sign Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke, with Arsenal also keen on the striker.
The 26-year-old only trails Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in the Premier League Golden Boot race, having scored 11 goals in 18 top-flight fixtures.
Solanke was the hat-trick hero in the Cherries' final fixture before Christmas, popping up with a last-gasp winner to deny Nuno Espirito Santo any points during his first game in charge of Nottingham Forest.
One more goal would see the former Chelsea forward double his tally of six Premier League strikes from last campaign, highlighting what a productive start to the term he is enjoying on the South coast.
According to The Sun, Tottenham are keeping tabs on Solanke ahead of the summer transfer window, in which the Lilywhites could make an approach for the attacker.
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The report claims that Ange Postecoglou's men have deployed scouts to Bournemouth matches in the first half of this season to monitor the performances of the towering forward.
Spurs are said to be on the lookout for a new number nine following the departure of all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich for £100m in the summer.
Despite the exit of the club legend, Tottenham have fared admirably in the attacking terms, with only Pep Guardiola's Citizens and Aston Villa netting more than the Lilywhites' 37 goals in the Premier League.
It is understood that Postecoglou's side have decided that Solanke is a 'better prospect' than alternative target Evan Ferguson, who has burst onto the top-flight scene at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Republic of Ireland international has made the net ripple on six occasions in the Premier League for Roberto de Zerbi's Seagulls this term, however the 19-year-old would cost Tottenham significantly more than a deal for Bournemouth's leading marksman.
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Liverpool will have an interest in any developments surrounding a potential move away from the Vitality Stadium for Solanke, with the Reds setting a 20% sell-on clause when the player switched from Anfield to the South coast in 2019.
Arsenal's desire to recruit a top-class forward option in 2014 is no secret, with Mikel Arteta's Gunners reportedly eyeing up Solanke as an alternative to top target Ivan Toney of Brentford.
One-time England international Toney has been heavily linked with a transfer to the Emirates Stadium in 2023, with the 27-year-old currently serving an eight-month suspension for breaching the Football Association's betting rules.
Richarlison is set to start at the focal point of Tottenham's attack when they travel to Brighton on Thursday night, as the Lilywhites look to extend their winning run to four matches.
Carter White
