The smart Spurs and Bournemouth swap deal that could solve big problems for both clubs

After failing to qualify for any European football last season, Tottenham Hotspur have hit the ground running in the Premier League and are going toe to toe with the pack leaders this term. With 40 points in the bank, Spurs are currently fifth in the table and just five points behind Liverpool at the top of the tree.

Based on results so far, Tottenham certainly can't be ruled out of a title race just yet, but a top four finish will be the more realistic goal. If anything, they have surpassed expectations by outsiders so far, as many predicted the North London side to struggle following the departure of top goalscorer Harry Kane. But Ange Postecoglou's first season in charge is shaping up to be a very impressive one.

Since Kane's move to Bayern Munich, Son Heung-min has come up with 12 goals and five assists so far this term — not that he needed any excuse to show off how clinical he is in front of goal. Richarlison has also stepped up with eight goals and three assists, while summer signing Dejan Kulusevski is impressing in his first season as a permanent signing as well. Let's not forget the addition of Brennan Johnson either, who is showing all the signs of becoming a solid player for Spurs.

This hasn't stopped Spurs from scouring the market for new attacking options, though. Despite the fact they have the second-highest goal return of the season so far, Postecoglou and co are browsing for some new attacking options and have been linked to some exciting targets. It will be very tough ask to replace a superstar like Kane but it seems the club are looking to bring in a typical No.9 to elevate their attack even further.

HITC's Graeme Bailey has reported that Tottenham have 'opened talks' with 18-year-old Antonio Nusa from Club Brugge, but there is another player far closer to home that they also have their eye on.

According to Football Insider, Spurs are currently rivalling Arsenal with their interest in Bournemouth's star striker Dominic Solanke. The Cherries are said to be 'bracing for offers' for the ex-Liverpool and Chelsea man, who has tallied 12 goals in the Premier League this season — only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have scored more so far.

Solanke is under contract until 2027 at the Vitality Stadium, so while Bournemouth are expecting bids to come in for the 26-year-old, it will likely take a pretty handsome amount to convince them into selling. But Spurs could offer them an interesting deal in exchange for the services of Solanke.

Tottenham are looking to offload a number of players between now and the start of next season. Some exit links are more obvious than others, but there a few that are more open to interpretation. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been offered his fair share of opportunities this season and hasn't missed a Premier League match yet, but the majority of his appearances have been as a substitute.

The Denmark international has now entered the final 18 months of his current contract and clubs are starting to show their interest in snapping him up. If Hojbjerg is set for a move away from Totteham, the club could use him as a bargaining chip in their pursuit of Solanke.

Of course, a sizeable wad of cash would also be required, but the addition of Hojbjerg as part of the transfer could sweeten the deal. Bournemouth currently have just one natural defensive midfielder on their roster in Tyler Adams and he is having a torrid time with injuries. The US international only signed for the club in the summer from Leeds United and back-to-back hamstring injuries have seriously hampered his season. Adams has made just one appearance for Bournemouth since joining, and is not expected to return from his latest surgery until February at the earliest.

The Cherries would seriously benefit from having a senior defensive midfielder in their ranks and equally, Hojbjerg will surely relish the opportunity to become a nailed on starter in his next chapter. A monetary fee will also help Bournemouth sign a replacement for Solanke, who they brought in from Anfield in 2019 for £19 million.

Football Insider recently reported that Spurs would be willing to sell Hojbjerg for a fee of £20 million, which would see them return a £5 million profit. Not having to pay for a new midfielder will be big plus for Bournemouth and Solanke will attract a sizeable fee that will certainly eclipse the original fee Bournemouth paid five years ago.

Sure, it will be a tall ask to persuade Bournemouth to part ways with Solanke but this approach has something that will benefit every party. The striker will be given plenty of time on the pitch for a side challenging for silverware and Spurs will offload a player on the transfer list to a club in real need of someone of his calibre to plus a big injury gap.