North London rivals locked in battle for Bournemouth’s Nigerian striker

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Arsenal are locked in a north London derby off the pitch as they vie for the signature of Anglo-Nigeria forward Dominic Solanke. The Gunners are in the market for a new striker following their failed pursuit of Benjamin Šeško, who opted to extend his stay at RB Leipzig.  

Their attention then turned to Viktor Gyökeres, but Sporting CP’s exorbitant valuation for the Swedish international has forced The Emirates landlords to explore alternative options. Solanke, who enjoyed a prolific campaign with AFC Bournemouth last season, netting 20 goals, has emerged as a potential target.  

Bournemouth v Brighton and Hove Albion Premier League 28/04/2024. Dominic Solanke (9) of AFC Bournemouth during the Prem
Photo by IMAGO

The 26-year-old’s impressive form has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs, with Tottenham Hotspurs also keen on securing his services.  According to reports in CaughtOffside, Arsenal, will be eager to bolster their attacking options and will be hoping to fend off competition from their local rivals.

Solanke’s international future up in the air

While Solanke has established himself as a Premier League forward, his international career has taken a somewhat convoluted path. The former Chelsea youth product represented England at various youth levels, culminating in a FIFA U17 World Cup triumph in 2017. He earned his senior England cap in a friendly against the Seleção Canarinho of Brazil in 2017 but has struggled to break into the Three Lions squad since.  

Solanke's public support for Nigeria during the AFCON underscores a potential affinity for the national team.

Solanke

With Nigeria eager to bolster their attacking ranks, there has been speculation over Solanke’s potential switch of allegiance. The Nigeria football chiefs have been monitoring the forward’s situation closely, and with the player seemingly open to exploring his options, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) may reignite their pursuit of the Bournemouth striker.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.