With the January transfer window deadline swiftly approaching, AFC Bournemouth boss Scott Parker has revealed he wants to add more attacking options as the Dorset club push for promotion back to the Premier League.
With the January transfer window deadline swiftly approaching, AFC Bournemouth boss Scott Parker has revealed he wants to add more attacking options as the Dorset club push for promotion back to the Premier League.
Dominic Solanke has carried most of the Cherries’ goal scoring responsibility this season, scoring just under half of the club’s league goals. The Striker has been in prolific form scoring 18 times in 27 appearances in the Championship, but Parker knows he needs to add to his attacking options with the club losing five out of their last six league games - four of which they failed to register any goals.
“I feel attacking areas are probably where we need some help now,” explained the head coach.
“I think we have been heavily dependent on certain players in our squad and in our team - I think that is evident.
“I think in that area of the pitch there are areas where we are light, where we could do with extra support, so it is that area we are probably looking to try and help us.”
The Cherries have been linked with several forwards so far during the current transfer window, but Derby captain Tom Lawrence appears to be Parker’s number one target with reports suggesting The Rams have told the Dorset club to double their bid of £250,000 if they wish to get their man.
Lawrence is a Welsh international and has been Derby’s top performer this season with eight goals and three assists - the last of which came from the penalty spot after former Cherries defender Steve Cook gave away a late penalty at the City Ground as the Rams lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest
However, Derby manager, Wayne Rooney, gave reassurances to fans of the midlands club that Lawrence will be staying - at least until the end of the season when his contract runs out.
When Parker was asked about Lawrence’s potential switch ahead of this weekend's trip to Barnsley, the former England international remained tight-lipped about the deal but admitted the club were actively trying to recruit a forward.
“I wouldn't want to comment on anyone's players or any individual players - I have respect of that," he added.
“I feel that we need to improve certain areas and attacking areas of the pitch is probably an area we need to look at and is an area we are looking at, but regarding any certain individuals, that is not something I will be willing to site here and do out of respect for the club’s and the players.
“But what I can say is there are areas we are looking at and I can tell the fans that we are trying our hardest and the people in those places, the scouts, the recruitment department, ownership are doing all we can to get bodies in to help us."
Other attacking options have also been linked with the club over the past month and Peterborough’s Siriki Dembele is another player that has had confirmed interest from the Cherries.
Barry Fry, Peterborough’s director of football confirmed earlier this week to the Peterborough Telegraph that the club had turned down two bids from Bournemouth and that Birmingham City have also bid for the 25-year-old.
Fry also stated that Dembele would likely prefer a switch to the Dorset club over Birmingham but that the offer fell way short of what they are looking for and a deadline day move looks unlikely as there would be no time to bring in a replacement.
Two other names that have been thrown around this month with a potential view to donning the black and red at Vitality Stadium are Andy Carroll and Kieffer Moore but with Carroll signing a short term deal with promotion rivals West Brom this week, Moore is now the only other reported target.
When asked about any interest in the Cardiff City Striker, Parker said: “That is an area we are looking at - an attacking area - I can't give names, no, but look, the top end of the pitch and attacking areas is an area we are trying to bring players in.”
Moore would likely be a player that could support Solanke as another option down the middle of Parker’s front three with the towering Welshman a real threat in the air and good at bringing other players into play with his hold up play - an area Solanke has improved on this season but occasionally still underwhelms in.
Either Dembele or Lawrence would provide cover in the wider attacking areas, with both habitually playing off the left or right flanks, adding more Championship experience to two positions occupied normally by Jaidon Anthony or Christie and Parker admitted the club may be going for more than just one player.
"We might not just be going for one player, we might be going for four players," the head coach revealed
"Four players might mean we go for a right winger, a left winger, a centre forward and a midfielder.
"At this present moment in time all I do know is this is the area we are going for."
With the clock ticking down to Monday’s 11pm deadline, it looks set to be a potentially busy day for the Cherries boss. Ryan Christie and Jamal Lowe joined the club on deadline day during the summer transfer window and Parker admits doing deals at the 11th hour is likely to be where the club will be again but remains hopeful that deals can get done.
“We are trying to get some bodies in and trying to get the help we probably need a little bit at this present moment in time to get us over the line,” explained the Cherries boss.
“But as always, we all realise this is a very difficult window to go and buy players and we will have to see where we are come late on, because that is where it will probably end up being ,but we will be doing all we can to support the team and help the team to get us over the line.
“I think we will know nearer the time when the window shuts like most teams that frantic 12 hours or 24 hours like it always seems to get to.
He added: “I'm sure come Monday it will be entertaining and hopefully like i've said we can get some over the line.