Transfer Centre

Arsenal eyeing up Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke as Ivan Toney alternative?

By Devesh Jaganath | 17 December 2023

Arsenal eyeing up Solanke as Toney alternative?

Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Dominic Solanke, with Mikel Arteta considering the Bournemouth forward as an alternative for their top January target Ivan Toney.

Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Dominic Solanke, with Mikel Arteta considering the Bournemouth forward as a possible alternative for their top January transfer target Ivan Toney.

The Cherries signed Solanke for a fee of around £19m from Liverpool back in the 2019 January transfer window.

The 26-year-old scored for Bournemouth before the match against Luton Town was called off this weekend, taking him to 65 goals and 28 assists in 193 matches for The Cherries.

According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are adamant about not paying over the odds for Toney, whose eight-month suspension, resulting from a total of 232 breaches of the FA's gambling rules, concludes on January 17.

The report adds that if The Gunners find themselves unable to secure the signing of Toney, Arteta will look to bring in the Bournemouth frontman, who The Cherries value in the region of £50m.

Adding to the mix, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are believed to be preparing to battle for Toney's signature in January as well, while Brentford are desperate to keep hold of his services with Bryan Mbeumo set for an extended absence.

Should Arsenal miss out on Toney, signing Solanke will not be a straightforward task as it is understood that West Ham United are also in the race for the 26-year-old, with David Moyes prioritising the signing of an out-and-out striker in January.

Solanke signed a new contract at the Vitality Stadium in September, with that deal expiring at the end of the 2026-27 season.