On Friday, England under-21 striker Dominic Solanke completed a move from Liverpool to Bournemouth for an initial fee of around £19million. The youngster has understandably struggled for first team action on Merseyside because of the presence of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in the Reds squad.
Liverpool makes a good profit on Solanke
Liverpool have got into the habit of doing very shrewd business in selling players that are surplus to requirements in recent years. The Merseysiders signed Solanke for a tribunal fee of around £3million when the promising forward joined from Chelsea in 2017.
It would be cynical to believe that the Red bought the striker simply to profit from selling him down the line. However, it was a no lose situation for Liverpool. The Reds were signing a hot young prospect for a fee that was well less than what he was actually worth due to the expiration of his contract.
When he signed in 2017, Solanke looked highly unlikely to ever make it into the Liverpool starting line. The Reds have had strong forward players for the last few years, so it would have been difficult for any young player to break into the front line.
A chance to prove himself in the Premier League
A move to Bournemouth may well give Solanke the chance to prove that he can cut it in the Premier League. In truth, his time at Liverpool has just delayed his development, but the move probably seemed like a good idea at the time, especially from a financial viewpoint.
However, a move to the south coast is now all about actually playing in the Premier League. Solanke has made just 21 appearances for Liverpool in the English top-flight, with a number of those coming from the substitute’s bench.
The Cherries have good forward options in Callum Wilson and Josh King already. There is speculation in the media that Wilson is a January transfer target for Chelsea, while Everton have also been linked with a move for the England striker.
However, there is also a suggestion that Solanke was bought in to replace Jermaine Defoe, who is due to join SPL giants Rangers on an 18-month loan deal. If the latter is the case, then Solanke may struggle to get the first-team action he is craving at Bournemouth.
So far, the striker’s best form has come for England’s youth sides, including winning the under-20 World Cup with the junior lions. Solanke now needs to transfer his international form into his club career to prove he has what it takes to make it at the top level of the game.
Liverpool the winners in this deal
Not only are Liverpool currently the favourites to win the Premier League title, but the Reds are also doing a good job at selling players for good fees who are not good enough for the first-team. Solanke was bought as an investment and it has certainly paid off handsomely for the Merseysiders.
For Dominic Solanke the move to Bournemouth could define his career. At Bournemouth, he certainly has a better chance of first-team football. However, he is not guaranteed a starting place for the Cherries, so it is now sink or swim time for the young forward.
Where Liverpool the winners in the Dominic Solanke deal?
