Andoni Iraola says Bournemouth want to sign a striker this January but admits it will be “difficult” to add a No9 mid-season.
The Cherries have lost summer signing Evanilson and fellow midfielder Enes Unal to long-term injuries, so are believed to be looking to add another goalscorer as they continue their surprise European run this season.
But while the South Coast club are working on additions, the Spanish manager says there is nothing to report yet.
Ahead of Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, Iraola said: “There is nothing new. It’s hard to market because it’s a niche and nobody wants to get rid of number nine in the market.
“But the club is still working on it and we still have ten or fifteen days in the market.”
But Iraola insists it won’t be the end of the world if he doesn’t land the new No9 with goals coming across the squad this season.
He added: “I think last season Dominic Solanke scored most of our goals, this season everyone contributed more as we created more chances.
“We don’t rely on one scorer and as long as we create chances we will score goals. I don’t care if it’s a number nine or a full-back.”
What a strike 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/2HJHCf4dRK
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 15, 2025
Bournemouth team news
Iraola says there is no change to the squad he has available to face the Magpies, meaning Evanilson and Unal are still joined by Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier and Ronald Araujo on the sidelines.
And the Bournemouth boss admitted the current injury spate is taking its toll on his relatively small squad.
He added: “It won’t be the hardest starting line-up to guess. We are not going to recover anyone from the other day. “Half the teams in the Premier League have seven, eight or nine injuries – but in our very small squad, we suffer more.”
However, Iraola praised the fighting spirit on display in his camp as they look to extend an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
The 42-year-old said: “Now we have the players fit and available.
“They had all the excuses and decided not to take them and instead to continue to fight and do their job and more in whatever position we needed them and also in whatever situation.
“Even when they are tired they keep going. I admire them.”
Newcastle will be ‘very difficult’
Bournemouth take on the Premier League’s form side on Saturday afternoon, with Newcastle having won their last nine games in all competitions, a run of form that has seen them climb into the top four.
“It’s going to be very difficult – they’re flying, they’ve got players in great form, especially (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Gordon,” Iraola said of their opponents.
“Their midfield is very strong, they have a very good squad and almost everyone is available. It will be very difficult but we are in a good place – we finished very strongly against Chelsea and we are ready for the challenge.”
2025-01-17 15:52:00
