Andoni Iraola says Bournemouth are keen to sign a striker in January, but admits it will be “difficult” to add a No.9 midway through the season.
The Cherries have lost summer signing Evanilson and compatriot Enes Unal to long-term injuries and are therefore said to be keen to add another goalscorer as they continue their surprise campaign for Europe this season.
But as the South Coast club work on additions, the Spanish boss says there is nothing to report yet.
Ahead of facing Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, Iraola said: “There is no news. It’s difficult in the market because it’s a specific position and no one wants to get rid of number nines in the market.
“But the club continues to work on it and we still have ten or fifteen days on the market.”
But Iraola insists it won’t be the end of the world if they don’t land a new number 9 with goals across the team this season.
He added: “I think last season Dominic Solanke scored most of our goals, this season everyone contributed more because the number of chances we created was more.
“We don’t rely on just one scorer and as long as we create chances, we will score goals. I don’t care if it’s number nine or the back.
What a strike 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/2HJHCf4dRK
– AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 15, 2025
Bournemouth team news
Iraola says there have been no changes to the squad he has 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 spate of injuries is affecting his relatively small squad.
He added: “It won’t be the hardest starting XI to guess. We’re not going to pick up 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.
Despite this, Iraola praised the fighting spirit shown within his camp as they look to extend an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
The 42-year-old said: “We now have healthy and available players.
“They had every excuse and decided not to take them and continue to fight and do their job and more, in whatever position we needed and whatever the conditions.
“Even when they are tired, they continue. I admire them.
Newcastle will be ‘very difficult’
Bournemouth face the in-form Premier League side on Saturday lunchtime, with Newcastle winning their last nine games in all competitions, a run of form which has seen them move into the top four.
“It’s going to be very difficult – they are flying, they have players in great shape especially [Alexander] Isak and [Anthony] Gordon,” Iraola said of their opponents.
“Their midfield is super strong, they have a very good team and almost everyone is available. It’s going to be very difficult but we’re in a good position – we finished very strongly against Chelsea and we’re up for the challenge.
