Hammers need to break transfer record for striker Solanke
Some dubious news reports are emerging suggesting West Ham are looking to break their transfer record with a bid for Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke.
Solanke’s impressive haul of 14 goals in 26 matches this season has placed him joint-fourth in the Premier League top scorers chart alongside Jarrod Bowen. Arsenal and Liverpool are also rumoured to be interested, which would seem bizarre considering Liverpool sold him to Bournemouth.
Whilst I don’t doubt there is interest from the Hammers in the player, I question whether we’d smash our transfer record to sign him. Lucas Paqueta is our current record transfer at around £50m, depending on which newspaper you read.
Solanke will be 27 at the start of next season, and whoever signs him can expect next to no sell-on value. While he has enjoyed an excellent season this campaign, he is yet to register decent back-to-back seasons.
Hammers must break transfer record for striker Dominik Solanke
Last season, he scored only 6 goals in 33 games under a more defensive style of play. Clearly, his potential has been unlocked this season by Cherries manager Andoni Iraola, who plays a fast-paced attacking game.
So, while I like Solanke, paying over £50m for a player who has thrived in an attacking set-up but struggled in a defensive one seems a little pricey.