Andoni Iraola says Bournemouth are keen to sign a striker next January, but accepts it will be “difficult” to add a No.9 midway through the season.
The Cherries have lost summer signing Evanilsson and fellow striker Enes Unal to long-term injuries, so they are believed to be keen to add another goalscorer as they continue their surprise push into Europe this season.
But while the South Coast club are working on additions, the Spanish coach says there is nothing to report yet.
Before facing Newcastle in the English Premier League on Saturday, Iraola said: “There is no news. It is difficult in the market because it is a specific position and no one wants to get rid of the number nine in the market.
“But the club is continuing to work on it and we still have ten or fifteen days left on the market.”
But Iraola insists it won't be the end of the world if they don't get a new No. 9 with goals scored all over the squad this season.
He added: “I think Dominic Solanke was scoring most of our goals last season, and this season everyone contributed more as the amount of chances we created was greater.
“We don't depend on one goalscorer and as long as we create chances we will score goals. I don't care if it's the number nine or the full-back.
What a strike 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/2HJHCf4dRK
– AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 15, 2025
Bournemouth team news
Iraola says there has been no change to the squad available to face Newcastle, meaning Ivanilson and Unal are still joined by the likes of Marcos Sensi, Marcos Tavernier and Ronald Araujo on the sidelines.
The Bournemouth coach admitted that the current wave of injuries is affecting their relatively young squad.
He added: “It will not be difficult to guess the starting lineup. We will not have anyone back from the other day. Half of the teams in the Premier League suffer from seven, eight or nine injuries, but in our very short team, we suffer from them more.
Despite this, Iraola praised the fighting spirit shown within his camp as they look to continue an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
“We now have players who are healthy and available,” the 42-year-old said.
“They had all the excuses and decided not to take advantage of them and instead continue to fight and do their job and more in whatever position we need them in and also in any situation.
“Even when they are tired they keep working. I admire them.
Newcastle will be 'very difficult'
Bournemouth take on the Premier League side on Saturday lunchtime 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 will be very difficult – they are flying, they have players in great form especially (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Gordon,” Irola 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 position, we finished very strong against Chelsea and we are ready for the challenge.
