Paul Merson has questioned a potential move to Newcastle United for Bournemouth striker Dom Solanke – despite the English striker’s incredible form in the Championship. Solanke, of course, was signed by Eddie Howe.
Solanke, 24, has been on fire since Bournemouth were relegated to the Championship under Howe in 2019-20. Prior to that, Solanke had managed just four goals in 46 games – since scoring 34 in 71 outings for the Cherries.
Indeed, the one-time England international has a whopping 19 goals in 26 games for Bournemouth this season – adding two assists. Last season he got 15, but did lay on 11 assists. Little surprise, Howe has been linked.
Bought for £24million (Mirror), Solanke has finally started to turn good and Newcastle might have to spend a similar figure if they were to get him. Discussing a potential move for Solanke, though, Merson is unconvinced.
“They are also talking about Dominic Solanke. He’s ripped it up in the Championship, but Eddie Howe had him at Bournemouth in the Premier League and they couldn’t score a goal,” Merson told Sky Sports.
Merson on Solanke: Newcastle better off going after Wood
Solanke has the potential to be a Premier League striker, without a doubt. But Scott Parker is playing to Solanke’s strengths at Bournemouth, while at Newcastle, he would be third choice behind Callum Wilson and Chris Wood.
Newcastle are said to be after a second striker signing after Wood with talks ongoing for Hugo Ekitike. Solanke might be a better usage of money than Ekitike, but all in all, he needs to be playing regularly to score goals.
At Newcastle, Solanke would not get the game time he needs to continue his superb Bournemouth form.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
