Andoni Iraola says Bournemouth are keen to sign a striker this January but accepts it will be “difficult” to add a No9 midway through the season.
The Cherries have lost summer signing Evanilson and fellow forward Enes Unal to long-term injuries so are believed to be keen to add another goalscorer as they continue their surprise push for Europe this season.
But while the South Coast club are working on additions, the Spanish boss says there is nothing to report as 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 left in the market.”
But Iraola insists it will not be the end of the world if they do not land a new No9 with goals coming throughout the side this season.
He added: “I think in the past season Dominic Solanke was scoring most of our goals, this season everyone has been contributing more as the amount of chances we have created have been more.
“We don’t rely on one goal scorer and as long as we create chances we’ll score goals. I don’t care if it’s the number nine or the fullback.”
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 he has available to face the Magpies, meaning Evanilson and Unal are still joined by the likes of Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier and Ronald Araujo on the sidelines.
And the Bournemouth boss admitted the current spate of injuries is affecting their relatively small squad.
He added: “It’s not going to be the most difficult starting XI 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 short squad, we suffer it more.”
Despite that, Iraola praised the fighting spirit shown within his camp as they look to extend an 11-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
The 42-year-old said: “We now have the players healthy and available.
“They have had all the excuses and decided not to take them and instead to keep fighting and doing their job and more in whatever position we needed them and also in whatever condition.
“Even when they are tired they keep going. I admire them.”
Newcastle will be ‘very difficult’
Bournemouth are up against the Premier League’s form team on Saturday lunchtime with Newcastle winning their last nine games in all competitions, a run of form which has seen them climb into the top four.
“It’s going to be very difficult – they are flying, they have players in great form especially [Alexander] Isak and [Anthony] Gordon,” Iraola said of their opponents.
“Their midfield is super strong, they have a very good squad and almost everyone is available. It’s going to be very tough but we are in a good spot – we finished super strong against Chelsea and we are ready for the challenge.”