Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admits he is a huge admirer of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke but he doesn’t believe the Magpies can afford to sign him during the January transfer window.

A report this week suggested that the club had made an enquiry for the 26-year-old. However, Howe has denied the claim. He actually signed the forward from Liverpool when he was the Cherries’ head coach and, although he says he remains a fan of the player, a bid is out of the question:

“I love Dominic Solanke, I signed him and I rate him very, very highly But we have not made an enquiry for him and we don’t have the ability to sign a player of that level.”

Solanke has been in outstanding form this season, scoring 12 league goals in just 19 appearances, so Newcastle’s reported interest is not a surprise.

Newcastle’s budget means any deal for the striker was not realistic

Due to concerns about complying with Financial Fair Play, the Magpies have very little room for manoeuvre when it comes to signing players on permanent deals in January.

Solanke’s asking price is said to be in excess of £50m and, with Newcastle unable to match those sort of numbers, any approach would have likely been knocked back anyway.

Other Premier League teams have also considered signing Solanke

Arsenal and West Ham have been mentioned as potential suitors for the England international but Bournemouth’s valuation of the former Chelsea player will likely put off any teams from making offers for him this month.

If Solanke does stay at the Vitality Stadium until the end of the season, and Newcastle are in a better position to table a bid, it could be a transfer that is revisited in the summer.

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