'Is it real this time?' Tottenham's one-top supply and demand operation is coming to fruition, but Bournemouth Solanke is imminent
Aug 06, 2024
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Even before the summer transfer market opened, Tottenham Hotspur's top target for recruitment was 'forward striker'. Coach Enze Postecoglou's request was to find a striker who could properly take over the same position as Son Heung-min (32) as a temporary measure last season. The Tottenham club also accepted it.
However, the recruitment process has not been carried out until now, when the transfer market is almost over and the opening of the new season is imminent. Until now, Tottenham has only recruited promising players such as Archie Gray and Yang Min-hyuk. All he has done in the transfer market is to join Lucas Beribal, who completed his recruitment in January, and to extend Timo Werner's loan.
Therefore, there was a lot of concern that Son Heung-min might still take over the frontline striker position in the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Son Heung-min had no choice but to increase his load. If the transfer market ends as it is, it was difficult to find other alternatives. The expectation for Hishalisson was close to zero.
But there was a new hope. Tottenham is reported to have been very close to recruiting a striker who has frequently appeared in foreign media recently. Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke (27) is the main character. There were reports that Tottenham was close to recruiting Solanke.
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Solanke played for Bournemouth last season after playing for Liverpool and Chelsea. He is the one who saved Bournemouth from relegation, struggling at the bottom. In the 2022-2023 season, he scored six goals and seven assists, and last season, he played in the league's foreground and scored as many as 19 goals (3 assists). He tied for fourth in the league's scoring position. Clearly, he is superior to Son Heung-min (17 goals) in terms of scoring ability.
If Tottenham brings Solanke, who played such an active role, it will be possible to rearrange the offensive camp. As Son Heung-min returns to his original position as a left-side striker, he can avoid the opponent's concentration check and make the fast and creative play he originally showed. Werner and Hishalisson can be used as backup depending on the situation.
In the end, the key is Tottenham's financial power. Obviously, Postecoglou is desperate to recruit Solanke. Chairman Daniel Levy can achieve this wish by opening his wallet hotly. Solanke has a buyout of 65 million pounds (113.8 billion won) with Bournemouth. If this condition is met, Tottenham can bring it.
But Levi is famous for rarely opening his wallet. So first of all, we can sell Hisalysong to the Saudi Arabian club, and based on the funds, we can proceed with the recruitment in a way that meets Solanke's buyout conditions. Tottenham should be more active in negotiations because it has to go through two stages. Attention is focusing on whether Tottenham will be able to complete the Solanke One-Top-Son Heung-min left wing squad.
wman@sportschosun.com
