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Andoni Iraola says Bournemouth want to sign a striker this January, but accepts it will be “difficult” to add the No.9 mid-season.
The Cherries have lost summer signing Evanilson and fellow striker Enes Unal to long-term injuries and are believed to be looking to add another goalscorer as they continue their surprise push towards Europe this season.
But while the south coast club are working on additions, the Spanish boss says there is nothing to report yet.
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle, 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 nine in the market.
“But the club continues to work on it and we have another ten or fifteen days 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 the goals coming in all directions this season.
He added: “I think last season Dominic Solanke scored most of our goals, this season everyone contributed more because the amount of chances we created was greater.
“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 fullback.”
What a strike 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/2HJHCf4dRK
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 15, 2025
Bournemouth squad news
Iraola says there have been no changes 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 in the side.
And the Bournemouth boss admitted the current spate of injuries is affecting their relatively small squad.
He added: “It won’t be the hardest to hit the starting 11. We won’t recover anyone from the other day. Half the teams in the Premier League have seven, eight or nine injuries – but in our very short squad, we suffer more.”
Despite this, Iraola praised the fighting spirit shown in his camp as they look to extend their 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
The 42-year-old said: “Now we have healthy and available players.
“They had all the excuses and decided not to take them and instead continue to fight and do their job and more in whatever position we needed them in whatever condition.
“Even when they are tired, they keep going. I admire them.”
Newcastle will be ‘very tough’
Bournemouth take on an in-form 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’s going to be very tough – they’re flying, they’ve got players in great form, especially (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Gordon,” Iraola said of his opponents.
“Their midfield is super 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 super strong against Chelsea and we are ready for the challenge.”
