“First talks have taken place”: Bournemouth wants to poach “consistent top performer” from Arsenal

Bournemouth have now been linked with Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah as both clubs’ transfer windows become increasingly busy with the impending start of the Premier League season.

Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah is said to be planning a smart move to Bournemouth

“First talks” have begun

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Bournemouth have put Nketiah on their “list of options” after losing Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur for £65million. A bid for Evanilson was already rejected today. For Arsenal and the player, this comes after a move to Marseille fell through.

“Initial discussions took place today,” just days before the Cherries’ season opener against Nottingham Forest. With Solanke and Kieffer Moore leaving this summer and Enes Unal currently injured, they are left with 21-year-old Daniel Jebbison as their only option.

Is Eddie Nketiah the right striker for Bournemouth?

The positive side of Nketiah’s move is that he is a “consistent performer”. Last season he was used a lot by Mikel Arteta due to various injuries. His hat-trick against Sheffield United was a particular highlight; he is a clearer and has a natural ability to get into good positions. Being a “fox in the box” can be very beneficial for a team in the bottom half.

Cherries fans are not keen on the links, however. The 25-year-old does not have a similar profile to Solanke and could not replicate his style of play due to his lack of physicality. Nketiah also has no real goalscoring record: his highest in the league is five, and even in the Championship with Leeds United he was not convincing. With Arsenal turning down €27 million from Marseille, this move could be seen as overpriced.

It could come down to whether Bournemouth want an equivalent replacement for Solanke. Different is not always a bad thing, although their outgoing number nine was crucial to the way Andoni Iraola played. Is it even possible to replace him directly?