Arsenal ‘keeping tabs’ on Solanke as signing would be £30m cheaper than Toney

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Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the progress of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke and view him as a genuine alternative to January transfer target Ivan Toney. The Brentford forward is set to return from suspension next month and is the subject of interest from the likes of the Gunners, Chelsea and Tottenham.

The Daily Star claim that while Toney remains Mikel Arteta’s top target as Arsenal look to bolster their frontline, they have a shortlist of options if a fee cannot be agreed upon with Brentford. Solanke is one of those appreciated by the Gunners’ hierarchy and they believe he can reach new heights under Arteta.

Brentford have proven to be tough negotiators in the past, and with Bryan Mbeumo set to miss several months with an ankle injury, they will be particularly reliant on Toney when his ban ends on January 16. They could demand upwards of £80million for their star man, while Bournemouth are prepared to listen to offers of around £50m for Solanke.

Arsenal will not pay more than their valuation of Toney, proving so in past windows after pulling out of a deal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk when Chelsea gazumped them in a £88.5m move nearly a year ago.

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Arteta will push for Solanke if Arsenal deem Toney’s valuation too expensive. West Ham are also interested in the 26-year-old who has impressed for the Cherries in his second season in the league, but the Gunners being able to offer Champions League football while fighting for the title would likely trump the Hammers’ package to Solanke.

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has sent a warning to clubs sniffing around their players, however, insisting that they are not for sale. “Our door is closed and it’s bolted,” he told talkSPORT. “We’re not interested in selling any player.

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“If situations arise that we’re put in a position where we are compelled to do something because the player really wants to move on, but we were very specific in terms of Philip Billing and Dom (Solanke) and signing them to new, extended contracts.”

Solanke penned a new four-year deal at the Vitality Stadium in September, tying him to Bournemouth until 2027. He has scored eight goals in 16 games as the club’s talisman under Andoni Iraola, who has the Cherries flying up the table after a poor start to the season.

That form has prompted the likes of Arsenal to take a closer look at Solanke, who they are set to move for as a Plan B if Brentford rebuff the Gunners’ advances in their pursuit of Toney once the January transfer window opens.

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