Dominic Solanke joins Bournemouth from Liverpool for £19m
Bournemouth are close to completing a double swoop from Liverpool, having signed Dominic Solanke and with Nathaniel Clyne close to a loan deal.
Bournemouth landed 21-year-old striker Solanke on a permanent deal, worth around £19 million plus add-ons, according to reports, while they have also reached an agreement with Liverpool that will see right-back Clyne move on loan until the end of the season.
Crystal Palace were interested in a loan move for Solanke until Roy Hodgson said on Wednesday that any potential deal was off due to “complications.” The one-cap England international has been sidelined with a muscle issue of late, although a source has said the injury is not thought to be serious, and he has not featured at all for Liverpool this season.
Speaking to afcbTV, Solanke said: “I think the club is going somewhere. Over the past few years, they have been really good in the Premier League and had some good positional finishes as well. I think it’s a good club to be at, especially for someone of my age.
“I spoke with the manager this morning [Friday]. He is a really nice guy. From playing and watching the Premier League, I know the sort of manager he is. I was excited to meet him and am really looking forward to working with him and seeing what he’s about.
“My main target is to score goals and, being a striker, hopefully I can get a few for the team and help the team get wins. Playing in the Premier League, every game is tough and together we can try to do as well as we can.”
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe added: “Dominic is technically gifted, very athletic and has the physical profile that will give us something different in our front line. He has done very well for England at various age groups, has a huge amount of potential and I’m really excited about working with him.”
Howe has moved quickly to reinforce his attacking options after it emerged yesterday Jermaine Defoe is set to leave the south coast heading to Rangers on an 18 month loan deal. Solanke’s youth and talent fit the ethos of the squad Howe has built over recent seasons.
Clyne has been on the fringes for Liverpool this season, making just two starts in the all competitions after returning from a long-term injury in November. The 27-year-old is now set to spend the rest of campaign on the south coast playing for Eddie Howe, who has lost defenders Adam Smith and Simon Francis to season-ending injuries.
Injury limited Clyne to just five appearances last season, the first of which arrived in April, as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez went on to establish themselves in the Liverpool team. But once his temporary switch to the Vitality Stadium is confirmed, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be left with just one recognised right-back, in Alexander-Arnold, available for selection at this present moment.
However, Gomez is closing in on a return from a lower leg fracture, with Liverpool also possessing unorthodox options in cover.
James Milner was used as a right-back in the recent win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Fabinho operated there during large spells of his time at Monaco. Rafael Camacho also played as a wing-back during preseason.
Meanwhile, youngster Ki-Jana Hoever, a summer signing from Ajax, has impressed in the position during his appearances for Liverpool’s under-18s and U23s sides. The Dutch youth international, who turns 17 later this month, has been training with the first team at Melwood since December.
