Dominic Solanke should have an important role in Roberto De Zerbi’s new Tottenham project, but rumoured interest from Nottingham Forest has now cast doubt around his future.

Spurs committed £55 million plus another possible £10 million to sign the striker from Bournemouth in 2024.

That investment followed the best Premier League season of Solanke’s career, when he scored 19 goals and started every league match for Bournemouth.

His first year in north London produced a solid return, with Solanke bagging 16 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, including five during Tottenham’s historic Europa League-winning campaign.

His hold up play helped to drive Ange Postecoglou’s attack, while his strength and movement allowed runners to work around him, but the glaring problem has been Solanke's availability.

Solanke missed 13 games through injury during his first Tottenham campaign before a persistent ankle issue wrecked much of his second.

He eventually required surgery and spent 139 days unavailable, missing 27 games during that spell alone, with further hip and hamstring problems following later in the season.

Solanke finished 25/26 with six goals from 20 appearances, leaving his Tottenham record at 22 goals in 65 games, and while those numbers are respectable, they're not enough to remove every question.

Spurs need a striker capable of reaching 20 league goals if they are to recover from two poor domestic campaigns.

De Zerbi described Solanke as one of the Premier League’s better strikers and publicly stated that he wants to keep him.

However, Spurs continue to explore the attacking market. Victor Osimhen is reportedly an option for Tottenham, while Cody Gakpo has also emerged as a serious target.

Adding another major forward could force Tottenham to make room, particularly after spending heavily across De Zerbi’s squad, and that brings new attention to Solanke's long-term future.

Dominic Solanke 'leaving' Tottenham as Nottingham Forest plan 'eye-catching' move

Sportitalia journalist Gianluigi Longari reports that Nottingham Forest are keeping a close watch on the 28-year-old, whom he describes as set to leave Tottenham.

The suggestion that his departure is decided does sit awkwardly beside De Zerbi’s recent comments, but Forest’s interest is still understandable.

Oliver Glasner’s side need a dependable striker after finishing 16th, and Solanke offers Premier League experience, physicality and the ability to lead a pressing attack.

Tottenham must now decide whether they are prepared to listen to any Forest approach.

Selling Solanke would help fund another expensive arrival and remove uncertainty from a crowded forward department, but it would also mean accepting the loss of a player De Zerbi clearly values before giving him a fully fit season under the new head coach.

For now, Forest are watching and Tottenham are currently strengthening.