Two Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Ian Wright have given their verdict about one summer transfer target.
There has been plenty of debate about which striker Arsenal ought to pursue in this summer transfer window.
It is no secret that Mikel Arteta wants to add extra firepower to his ranks. Arsenal tried to sign Benjamin Sesko earlier in the transfer window, but have had to pivot to alternative targets after missing out on the RB Leipzig man.
The Gunners have been linked with a host of alternative targets to lead the line. Arsenal are pushing to sign Viktor Gyokeres, with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney, amongst others, also having been named as targets.
Most recently, Arsenal have been linked with Dominic Solanke, who is available for £65 million this summer due to a release clause in his current contract with Bournemouth. However, the Gunners may well face stiff competition for the 26-year-old’s signature from their bitter North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Solanke was in fine form last season, as he racked up 21 goals and 4 assists in 42 appearances, across all competitions.
Having been on the books with Liverpool and Chelsea earlier in his career, Solanke may now finally be ready to shine for a club at the top end of the Premier League. Thierry Henry and Ian Wright have both had their say one whether the once-capped England international could deliver for a title-chasing side.
Ian Wright and Thierry Henry have say on Arsenal target Dominic Solanke
Back in May, Wright heaped praise on Solanke, saying: “Dominic Solanke for me and his rise, because we’re talking about someone from a young age at Chelsea – we’re talking about goalscoring phenomenon in that Chelsea side.
“You could see what they saw. Whether he would have carried on to be doing what he’s doing there now, is a whole different thing, but you can see the qualities he has and at a club like Bournemouth, who went and stood with him.”
The Cherries did stand by Solanke when his reputation had taken a hit after his failures to make the grade at Stamford Bridge and Anfield.
The south coast club kept faith in the forward as he gradually developed into the player he always had the potential to become.
Discussing his development in December, Henry said: “Solanke, the way he is playing at Bournemouth. Not only him, the team is doing extremely well, but we have been waiting for him to be that player.
“I guess it was a bit too much when he was younger. But what he is doing right now is brilliant. I am happy for him because he did struggle for a little bit. Now he is looking good,” as quoted by The Mirror.
What Solanke would bring to Arsenal
Solanke has proven himself to be a clinical finisher, and offers pace and intelligent movement at the top of the pitch.
The Bournemouth man is also deceptively physical, and can hold up the ball and go toe-to-toe with defenders in duels. He would offer a different profile to Arteta than that provided by Kai Havertz, and has the capacity to be a smart signing for the Gunners, as long as he can translate his Bournemouth form to North London.
Arteta should take heed of Wright and Henry’s comments and make a move for Solanke, before Spurs can beat Arsenal to him.
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