Dom Solanke, a Bournemouth striker, will almost certainly join Ange Postecoglou's team in a deal worth £65 million, including a £55 million upfront fee and an extra £10 million in performance-related bonuses.
The striker who used to play for Chelsea and Liverpool is about to finish his test and sign a six-year deal in North London. He will then try to replace Harry Kane as the club's all-time top scorer.
Solanke is leaving the Cherries after scoring 19 goals in 38 Premier League games in 2023–24, only topped by three other players. He will join Archie Gray and Yang Min-hyeok as Spurs' third summer signing.
Since Solanke is moving to North London, Sports Mole looks at what shirt numbers the 26-year-old could wear at Tottenham for the striker.
Solanke has been the Cherries' number nine for every entire season at the Vitality Stadium. When he first arrived from Liverpool in the middle of the 2019 season, he was given the number 29 shirt, now worn by Pape Sarr at Tottenham.
Even though Richarlison has that shirt at Tottenham Hotspur, Solanke's arrival could force the Brazilian out the door. Clubs in Saudi Arabia are reportedly trying to sign the former Everton player.
If Richarlison does leave and leaves the number nine shirt empty, Solanke should have a clear shot at that prestigious striker's jersey. Jimmy Greaves, Les Ferdinand, Roberto Soldado, and Vincent Janssen are just a few players who have worn it at different points in Spurs' history.
Kane, who has scored the most goals in Spurs history, never played as the "9." Instead, the England captain spent most of his time in North London as Spurs' "10," a role given to creator-in-chief James Maddison last summer.
So, Solanke won't wear the number 10 he wore as a youth for his club and his country, but if Giovani Lo Celso leaves because Aston Villa wants him, an exciting choice could become available.
In fact, the Argentine is wearing the number 18 shirt for Tottenham right now. Solanke wore it briefly for Chelsea's Under-19s, and Kane, Jermain Defoe, and Jurgen Klinsmann are just a few of the famous forwards who have worn Spurs' "18" shirt over the years.
The "11" shirt is now available because Bryan Gil moved to Girona. The "19," "25," and "28" shirts are also ready for their next owners. The "26" shirt has been officially retired in honor of Ledley King.
'7' would also be open if Son Heung-min suddenly left the team this summer or next when his contract ends. But Solanke will almost certainly be Tottenham's new number nine in 2024-25.
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