Tottenham looking to replace Dominic Solanke, after just six months

Tottenham Hotspur made a significant investment in the summer by signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for around £60 million, yet reports suggest the club is already considering an upgrade in their attacking options.

The move, meant to fill the void left by Harry Kane’s departure, has not entirely solved the team’s issues in the forward position, leaving chairman Daniel Levy exploring alternatives to boost the club’s firepower.

Solanke arrived in north London as the long-awaited successor to Kane, Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer. Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich left a glaring hole in the Spurs lineup, and the former Bournemouth striker was brought in to fill those massive shoes.

Despite his undeniable effort and some decent performances, stepping into the role of one of the Premier League’s most iconic forwards has proven to be an enormous challenge. Solanke’s ability to deliver consistently at the highest level has come under scrutiny as Tottenham’s form has remained inconsistent, with the team currently sitting seventh in the Premier League standings.

Tottenham boasts a versatile attacking lineup, with players like Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert, and Dejan Kulusevski offering options on the flanks. Son Heung-min has also featured both as a winger and a central striker, but his contract is set to expire in the summer, raising further questions about the long-term structure of the team’s attack.

Despite Solanke being deployed as a traditional central striker, reports indicate that Tottenham has reignited interest in another forward, Ivan Toney, to enhance their attacking capabilities.

Toney, formerly of Brentford and now playing in the Saudi Pro League, has been linked with several top Premier League clubs in the past, including Tottenham.

His potential arrival in north London would likely shake up the pecking order in the squad, potentially sidelining Solanke and permanently shifting Son away from the central striker role. Toney’s reputation as a clinical finisher and his experience in the Premier League make him an appealing target for Spurs, though questions remain about the feasibility of such a move given his current circumstances.

Interestingly, Solanke’s former manager, Andoni Iraola, anticipated the striker’s departure from Bournemouth following a standout season. Speaking about Solanke’s performances, Iraola acknowledged the forward’s consistent displays and believed he was ready for a bigger stage.

According to the former Bournemouth boss, Solanke’s exclusion from England’s European Championship squad made it challenging for the club to retain him, as it reinforced his ambition to play at a higher level.

Despite this optimism surrounding Solanke’s potential, Tottenham’s interest in Toney could cast doubt over the long-term role of their summer signing. Toney, valued at €50 million by Transfermarkt, offers a proven track record of goal-scoring and physicality that could suit Ange Postecoglou’s tactical approach.

However, reports suggest that Tottenham’s decision to bypass Toney during the summer transfer window, when he was reportedly available at lower wages, raises skepticism about whether the club is genuinely pursuing him now.

Adding further complexity to the situation is the question of how Toney would integrate into Tottenham’s system. Postecoglou has relied on a lone striker formation, making it difficult to envision a scenario where both Toney and Solanke receive significant minutes.

If Toney were to join the squad, it would almost certainly reduce Solanke’s playing time, potentially undermining the club’s significant financial investment in the latter.

As Tottenham prepares to face Bournemouth in their upcoming Premier League clash, Solanke will have the opportunity to prove his worth against his former club. A strong performance could help solidify his place in the squad and temporarily quiet speculation about potential replacements. However, the looming prospect of another high-profile signing underscores the club’s ongoing search for solutions to their attacking inconsistencies.

While Tottenham’s pursuit of Toney remains speculative, it reflects broader concerns about their current squad depth and the need to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level.

Levy’s willingness to explore alternative options suggests that the club remains ambitious and committed to providing Postecoglou with the tools necessary to achieve success. Whether that commitment results in a new signing or renewed faith in Solanke will depend on the coming weeks and the performances of those already in the squad.