HITC understands that Chelsea are considering bringing Dominic Solanke back to Stamford Bridge this summer and they have enquired about his situation in recent weeks.
Chelsea’s search for a new number nine has seen them look at a host of options across Europe. Victor Osimhen was their top target coming into the summer, but they made it clear to Napoli they would not be meeting his release clause which is in excess of £100m.
RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko was also of major interest, but they learned this week along with Arsenal that he would not be moving to England this summer – instead signing a new contract in Germany.
Chelsea, though, have other options. Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Sesko’s Leipzig team-mate Lois Openda and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez have all been looked at and discussed – whilst Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran is a long-term target.
Chelsea looking to bring Dominic Solanke back to Stamford Bridge
But now HITC can Chelsea are looking at the prospect of bringing back a player that actually came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge in the shape of Dominic Solanke.
Sources believe that Bournemouth are now concerned that Solanke could leave the Vitality Stadium this summer – which was not the case only a matter of weeks ago.
HITC can confirm that Solanke does have a release clause in his contract, but there is a caveat that will only allow him to join certain clubs, but we can confirm Chelsea are one of those teams.
Sources have confirmed to HITC that the clause allows Solanke’s to leave for £65m and that can be activated by England’s ‘big six’ clubs – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and…Chelsea.
And HITC understands that Chelsea, have been doing their background work on Solanke and the reports have been favourable.
Solanke was one of the Premier League’s top strikers last season
Solanke is coming off the back of his best season in his career which began at Chelsea. He was a superstar in The Blues’ academy, winning their inaugural Player of the Year in 2015 and also finished with the Golden Ball for England’s Under-20 in their World Cup win.
But having played just one game for Chelsea in the Champions League, that prompted Solanke to turn down a new contract at opted to join rivals Liverpool in 2017.
In January 2019, Bournemouth paid £19million for him and he has been developing ever since arriving on the South Coast and last season saw him bag 19 goals for The Cherries – finishing fourth in the goalscoring charts only behind Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak.
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