Arsenal have reportedly placed Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke on a list of alternatives should they be unable to pull off a deal for Brentford star Ivan Toney in the January transfer window. The Gunners are in the market for a striker and although the Cherries will be reluctant to lose their talisman mid-season, Express Sport has taken a look at four potential swap deals that could sweeten Arsenal’s offer.
Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal and may leave in January to search for regular playing time. He has to compete with Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira at the Emirates but could become a first-team regular at Bournemouth should he be included in a swap deal.
Smith Rowe has started just one Premier League game so far this season but could join Bournemouth and become part of their impressive attacking arsenal, with Andoni Iraola working his magic to recover from a disappointing start to the campaign.
Reiss Nelson
Reiss Nelson is in a similar position to Smith Rowe, having made six league appearances this season but all of them have come off the bench. He may wish to try his hand at playing a bigger role at Bournemouth under Iraola.
Selling a player such as Nelson could significantly reduce Solanke’s price-tag below the current £50m valuation and if Arsenal can make a further saving in that area, it would open the door to strengthening another position in the window.
Eddie Nketiah
Losing Solanke would be a considerable blow to Bournemouth, but they could receive another striker in a deal that would allow them to replace their star forward at the same time. Eddie Nketiah’s minutes would be significantly reduced if another striker arrives at the Emirates, with competition already at the club from Gabriel Jesus, Havertz and Trossard.
Nketiah has had chances to prove himself as Arsenal’s number one striker this season but the Gunners moving for another forward indicates that those opportunities were not taken. However, a move down the league to Bournemouth could see the 24-year-old cement himself as a first-choice option at the Vitality Stadium.
