The Race to Sign Chelsea’s Former Star: Will Solanke Return to Stamford Bridge This Summer?

Chelsea is looking to add competition for Nicolas Jackson at the number nine position, and they have compiled a list of potential striker options. One potential target is former academy player Dominic Solanke, who has emerged as a viable option after Chelsea initially had their sights set on Benjamin Sesko, who recently signed a contract extension with RB Leipzig.

Chelsea has also been linked to Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, while Solanke remains a strong consideration. The 26-year-old had an impressive season at Bournemouth in 2023-24, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. This was a significant improvement for Solanke, who had previously struggled to establish himself at the Premier League level.

Solanke rose through the ranks at Chelsea and was highly regarded by former manager Jose Mourinho, but he failed to secure regular playing time at both Chelsea and Liverpool. However, during his time with Bournemouth, he has proven his scoring ability, especially in the recent Premier League campaign. Chelsea is weighing the option of making a bid to bring Solanke back to Stamford Bridge, but Bournemouth is expected to demand a substantial fee of around £65m for his services.

Other clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham are also reportedly interested in Solanke this summer. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will make a move for the talented forward as they continue to assess their options in the transfer market.