Andoni Iraola says Bournemouth are keen to sign the striker in January but admits it will be “difficult” to add the No9 mid-season.

The Cherries lost Evanilson and fellow player Enes Unal to injury in the summer and are believed to be looking to add another goalscorer as they continue their European campaign this season.

But while the South Coast club are working on the extension, the Spanish boss says he has nothing to say.

Before facing Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, Iraola said: “There is no issue. It is difficult in the market because it is a real place and no one wants to remove the number nine from the market.

“But the team continues to take action and we still have ten, or fifteen days left in the market.”

But Iraola insists it won’t be the end of the world if he doesn’t get a new No9 with goals coming from both sides this season.

He added: “I think last season Dominic Solanke scored most of our goals, this season everyone has contributed a lot because we have created more chances.

“We don’t rely on one goal scorer and as long as we create chances we score goals. I don’t care if it’s a number 9 or a full-back.”

What a strike 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/2HJHCf4dRK

– AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 15, 2025

Bournemouth team news

Iraola says there are no changes to his squad to face the Magpies, meaning Evanilson and Unal still join the likes of Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier and Ronald Araujo on the sidelines.

And the Bournemouth boss admitted that the current injury crisis is affecting his young squad.

He added: “It’s not going to be too difficult for a starting XI to think about. We’re not going to recover everyone from another day. Half of the teams in the Premier League have seven, eight or nine injuries – but in our very short squad, we struggle a lot.”

Despite this, Iraola praised the fighting spirit displayed within 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 every reason and chose not to take them instead to continue to fight and do their job and to whatever level we want them to and in whatever situation.

“Even when they are tired, they still go. I admire them.”

Newcastle will be ‘very difficult’

Bournemouth face the Premier League side on Saturday lunchtime as Newcastle have won their last nine games in all competitions, a run that has seen them climb into the top four.

“It will be very difficult – they are flying, they have players in good form especially (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Gordon,” Iraola said of his opponents.

“Their midfield is very strong, they have a very good team and almost everyone is there. It will be very difficult but we are in a good position – we finished very strong against Chelsea and we are ready to face the challenge.”