ANDONI Iraola insists Dominic Solanke is “very happy” at Cherries, as he fielded questions around the striker’s future.
Speculation has been rife in recent months that Solanke could depart Cherries for a club towards the top end of the Premier League table.
That comes as Solanke is enjoying by far his best goalscoring season in the top flight, having notched 18 times in 36 league appearances.
The 26-year-old still harbours hopes of forcing his way into the England squad for this summer’s European Championship and, as Iraola points out, signed a new contract at Vitality Stadium earlier this season to 2027.
Asked if he fears the upcoming fixtures will be Solanke’s final games in a Cherries shirt, Iraola said: “I hope they aren’t. I hope he stays with us and plays a lot more games with us.
“But I don’t know what’s going to happen, not with Dom, nor with the other players.
“I hope they continue with us, especially the ones that have been more involved, have been more important, or they feel more important.
“But as a manager, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Iraola, who insisted he has had no indication Solanke could leave this summer, added: “Dom is playing very well. He is very happy here.
“He renewed his contract this season.
“The only reason you are asking me is because he is scoring a lot of goals and playing very well.
“Probably there is a chance big teams are seeing the same things we are seeing and they can come.
“But his situation is really good right now and I feel that he is really happy here.”
Max Aarons joined Cherries from Norwich City last summer and said he was instantly impressed by the striker.
Asked if he feared Solanke could be snapped up, Aarons said: “I think when someone is performing at that level, there is always going to be that sort of talk.
“Knowing Dom, he’s as humble as anyone.
“I think his main aim is to finish off the season as best he can.
“I know he’s got goals of a big summer as well, hopefully he can get that.
“But it’s down to us to give him that best chance, keep putting him in positions where he can score goals, because he’s had an unbelievable season.
“Collectively as well, that’s allowed us to have a really good season.”
Pushed on if he believes Solanke is good enough to play for a Champions League club, Aarons added: “Of course. I fully believe that he’s a top player.
“From my first day coming in here in the summer, I could see that.
“This season the goals that he’s scored and not only the goals that he’s scored, the way he helps the team, the way he works tirelessly for us is top as well.
“It’s amazing to have that sort of player in your team.
“Who knows what the future holds?
"But it’s been a really good season for us and for him as well, so hopefully that continues for the last games.”
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