Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is supposedly pushing for the Lilywhites to sign Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke before the summer transfer window shuts.
The former Liverpool youngster unexpectedly blossomed into one of the deadliest centre-forwards in the Premier League last season, registering 19 goals in 38 top-flight contests.
Solanke's feats helped the Cherries achieve their best-ever finish in the Premier League, where only Erling Haaland (27), Cole Palmer (22) and Alexander Isak (21) scored more goals in 2023-24.
The 26-year-old had already proven his worth as a prolific Championship striker before thriving under Andoni Iraola last season, and his form has unsurprisingly led to significant transfer interest.
Arsenal are thought to have taken a liking to the former Chelsea academy product, but the Blues are also pushing to bring him back to Stamford Bridge, where he was on the books from 2004 to 2017.
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Tottenham in four-club battle for Solanke?
West Ham United have apparently shown an interest in the 26-year-old as well, but the Hammers cannot offer him any form of European competition next season, unlike other interested parties.
Following reports that Tottenham have also entered the race for Solanke, Football Insider claims that Postecoglou is now 'pushing' for his side to win the race for his signature this summer.
Solanke still has just under three years left to run on his contract at the Vitality Stadium, having signed an extension in September, but Iraola recently conceded that he was not sure if the England international would be staying put.
"Dom is happy. He has come back in very good shape, is training very well and the relationship he has with his team-mates is very good," Iraola told BBC Sport after Bournemouth touched down in the USA for their pre-season tour.
"But the market is open. You cannot say he is going to stay or that he is going to leave because we don't know. In the end, it is something you cannot control."
How much will Tottenham have to pay for Solanke?
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During contract negotiations last year, Solanke and Bournemouth apparently agreed to insert a £65m release clause into his contract, which can only be triggered by certain clubs.
It is unclear which teams are able to activate that option, but Tottenham's status as a 'Big Six' club competing in the Europa League would likely put them in a good position to trigger it.
Should Tottenham fork out the full £65m to sign Solanke, who cost Bournemouth just £19m to sign from Liverpool in January 2019, the 26-year-old would become Spurs' most expensive signing of all time.
That honour is currently held by Tanguy Ndombele, who was a £54m purchase from Lyon in the summer of 2019 but had his contract terminated earlier this summer after a failed five years.
As well as a direct successor to Harry Kane, Solanke could also arrive at Tottenham as a replacement for Richarlison, who has supposedly given the green light to a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Ben Knapton
