Liverpool will reportedly sign Chelsea’s 19-year-old striker Dominic Solanke this summer, after the teenage attacker failed to agree a new contract.
Liverpool will snap up Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke this summer, after the 19-year-old striker couldn’t agree a new contract with the Premier League champions.
BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty reported how the Reds will land Solanke, a highly rated young attacker, for a modest fee: “The fee for the 19-year-old will be decided by a tribunal, with Liverpool expected to pay around £3m.”
McNulty also noted how Liverpool have beaten Scottish Premier League champions Celtic to Solanke’s signature, with the England U-20 international set to officially sign on July 1.
Solanke has spent years as part of a Chelsea youth setup dominant at academy level. However, not many of the Blues’ gifted fledglings have made the step up from youth ranks to the first team, with Solanke going out on loan several times.
In fact, only 21-year-old midfield powerhouse Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been regularly close to the fringes of the senior side. Even so, former Chelsea assistant coach Michael Beale believes Liverpool have secured a terrific player in Solanke:
Solanke’s arrival could spell trouble for more than one of Liverpool’s current strikers. In particular, oft-injured England international Daniel Sturridge could now be pushed toward the exit door.
Offloading Sturridge would only increase Liverpool’s need for depth at striker, though. It’s something Solanke’s signing will help cover.
Depth was something in short supply up front for Liverpool this season. Midfield playmaker Adam Lallana bemoaned the loss of ex-Burnley striker Danny Ings to a season-ending knee injury as a major problem, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:
"There have been a number of games this season where you think: ‘If only we had Danny Ings fit and available, running the channels, busting a gut and getting his goals.’ Having him back for pre-season will be like a new signing."
Ings will now face increased competition from Solanke. It will add more pressure on an attacker who needs to prove his fitness.
Klopp knows Liverpool need more options up top as the club prepares to return to the Champions League after finishing fourth in England’s top flight this summer.
Next: Gareth Bale a doubt for Champions League final
Adding Solanke is a smart way for the Reds to begin fleshing out their squad ahead of next season’s extra fixtures.