Chelsea rule out signing 12-goal Premier League striker

Chelsea will not consider signing former Blue Dominic Solanke

Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea have ruled out the prospect of re-signing former player Dominic Solanke, who has been in scintillating form for Bournemouth this season.

Journalist Simon Phillips, known for his insights on Chelsea, shared on his Substack via football.london that Solanke is not currently under consideration by the Blues, putting an end to speculation about a potential return to Stamford Bridge.

“I am told [Dominic] Solanke is not being considered by Chelsea.” 

Solanke, now 26, has been enjoying a prolific spell at Bournemouth, netting an impressive 12 goals in the Premier League this season. His goal-scoring exploits have placed him in the company of top-tier forwards like Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah, with only Erling Haaland ahead by two goals. The striker’s remarkable performances have naturally sparked rumours of a return to Chelsea, where he had previously been part of the youth setup.

Former Chelsea man Dominic Solanke has been absolutely top-class for AFC Bournemouth.
Former Chelsea man Dominic Solanke has been absolutely top-class for AFC Bournemouth.

Despite the speculation, Chelsea seems to have dismissed the idea of bringing Solanke back to the club. The decision may stem from various factors, including the valuation placed on the striker by Bournemouth, which stands at £50m as per the Daily Star.

Solanke’s journey has seen him evolve outside the Chelsea ranks, with successful spells at Liverpool and Bournemouth. His resurgence in form has caught the attention of several clubs, but the latest information suggests that a reunion with Chelsea is not on the cards at this time.

The Blues, currently navigating the challenges of the Premier League, are likely exploring various options to strengthen their squad. While Solanke’s goal-scoring prowess has been noteworthy, Chelsea’s decision-makers have opted against pursuing his return. This stance indicates that the club may be exploring alternative avenues to address their needs in the attacking department.

Dominic Solanke during his Chelsea days.
Dominic Solanke during his Chelsea days.

While there should be enough reason for Chelsea to say no to a striker of Dom’s ilk, it surely does not make any sense considering the Blues are his boyhood club and he would come cheaper than the club’s other targets that include the likes of Victor Osimhen or even Lautaro Martinez for that matter.

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Despite the Solanke speculation being put to rest, Chelsea’s quest to add a new striker remains. Let’s see if the stance changes in the coming weeks considering Nicholas Jackson will have to fly back to represent Senegal in Ivory Coast for AFCON duties