West Ham United must ready 2024 transfer bid for Dominic Solanke, Thierry Henry has already granted seal of approval
It is no secret West Ham United are undergoing a striker crisis right now but they can solve that all in 2024 with a move for Dominic Solanke.
The Hammers have spent years and countless millions trying to find the ideal number nine at the London Stadium with their latest transfer failure of Gianluca Scamacca proving a real disappointment for all parties involved.
Michail Antonio has come the closest to resembling the goal-getter or complete forward they need, bagging 77 goals in 290 appearances but it is clear his run at the top is coming to an end.
David Moyes has also the small issue of Danny Ings to contend with, a January 2023 signing that has incredibly fallen on the wayside when much was anticipated and expected of the transfer.
Moyes has been forced to place Jarrod Bowen as a striker to great success but every West Ham United fan will know that solution isn’t sustainable for anyone, especially the Englishman himself.
It is why the Hammers enlisted the decorated services of German technical director Tim Steidten to fine-tune and improve their transfer recruitment strategy.
His addition of Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez over the summer has already proven a masterstroke but the German faces the huge problem of identifying the right striker candidate to bolster Moyes’ ranks in East London.
Step forward one current red-hot Premier League striker currently plying his trade on the south coast, Dominic Solanke.
West Ham United are long-term admirers.
It was reported in November that the Hammers were set to revive their interest in the Cherries forward after seeing a £40million bid rejected last summer, according to The Mirror.
Writing in his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside (10 December), transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has doubled down on reports suggesting the Hammers are targeting the Cherries striker but admits that the “excellent” Solanke is in no rush to move clubs.
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley vowed that his club’s doors “closed and bolted”, implying that the 26-year-old would not be for sale in the January transfer window or during summer, as per talkSPORT.
However, every player has his price no matter what the club’s owner says.
While the Englishman’s asking price will likely increase on current form, it shouldn’t be far from the Hammers remit to splash the cash on a player currently on an upward trajectory. His home-grown status comes in handy also.
So far this season, Solanke has bagged an incredible 12 goals from 18 Premier League games this season – only Erling Haaland has scored more (14) while Bowen is a goal behind on 11 goals.
Solanke’s form and displays have certainly taken him to great heights, as far as much as receiving glowing praise from Premier League and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Speaking on Amazon Prime during the Hammers’ 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Thursday (28 December, via the Metro), the pundit said what the 26-year-old has been doing for the Cherries has been “brilliant” after he previously struggled for form.
It comes after the Sunday People reported in its print edition on 19 November that the Irons are set to revive their interest in the English forward after having a £40million bid rejected for him over the summer.
Asked to name a player who has impressed him in the Premier League this season, Henry said: “Dominic 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.”
West Ham United and David Moyes must take Henry’s comments as a grand seal of approval.
As stated previously, Solanke is homegrown, is proven in the Premier League and has shown he knows where the back of the net is, making him an ideal and attractive proposition in the summer of 2024 at least.
Foley’s stance on the 26-year-old must be taken with every pinch of salt, Solanke will be available to the highest bidder come the middle of 2024, and West Ham United must ensure they are at the front of the queue.
In other West Ham United news, the Hammers have made a “100%” Moyes sack decision, with David Sullivan set to schedule a sit-down early next year.