Arsenal have reportedly joined Liverpool in a potential shock swoop of highly-rated Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke, who is likely to exit the club in the summer.

As per a Football.London exclusive, Arsenal are the latest club to show an interest in Chelsea contract rebel Dominic Solanke. The Englishman looks set for a summer departure from Stamford Bridge and could be heading towards one of the Blues’ league rivals, with Liverpool and Arsenal both pursuing the highly-rated striker.

Dominic Solanke was hailed as one of the most highly-rated players to come out of the Chelsea academy in recent times and was tipped to make the senior grade soon, along with the likes of Nathan Ake and Ola Aina. But the player has failed to gather any game time at all at Stamford Bridge under Antonio Conte.

A part of that could be chalked down to the beastly form of Diego Costa upfront coupled with Chelsea’s current position on the league table, which puts Conte in a position where he is unlikely to take much risks regarding squad selection as the Italian aims for the Premier League title in his debut season.

The player has been involved in a contract standoff with Chelsea in the recent past, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season. Chelsea seem unwilling to meet Solanke’s demands of a contract with terms of around £50,000 per-week, numbers unheard of for a player that is yet to establish himself in the first-team.

Liverpool, who are on the lookout for a quality striker to lead the front-line, with Klopp losing his patience with injury-riddled Daniel Sturridge, have been linked with a summer move for Solanke. With Solanke’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Reds would be able to contact the player and his agent directly for a transfer.

This name may go on to haunt Chelsea fans if Solanke ends up leaving the club and make a name for himself at a rival club. (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
This name may go on to haunt Chelsea fans if Solanke ends up leaving the club and make a name for himself at a rival club. (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

But, given the player’s age, the Reds would have to shelve out around £8 million compensation fee, which is to be decided by the tribunal. But, Liverpool are unlikely to be allowed a clear run in on Solanke, with Arsenal joining the race.

Arsenal are no strangers to the striker conundrum, with the Gunners themselves looking for a striker to add to their ranks. Alexis Sanchez has made a successful transition to the forward role but is now linked heavily with an exit from the club, with rumours of a contract standoff between the Chilean and the North Londoners.

Liverpool and Arsenal both have history of dealings with Chelsea. Liverpool secured Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea while the Blues let Petr Cech leave Stamford Bridge for Emirates. And, they are now looking to sign a player who is tipped to be a future superstar for England.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have a strong English core and have a proud history of English internationals in their squad. And Solanke could add to the list. It will be interesting to see where Solanke decides to go.

But a stay at Chelsea seems highly unlikely. And one of the Blues’ rivals could be set to gain from a Chelsea loss that the fans may not particularly like, especially if the player grows up to be anything near his touted potential.

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