CHERRIES have knocked back an approach from West Ham United for striker Dominic Solanke, the Daily Echo understands.

The Mirror reported on Saturday that West Ham had asked Cherries about the availability of Solanke, as they look for a replacement for the outgoing Gianluca Scamacca.

The Echo understands the Hammers contacted Cherries late last month, but the Dorset club are keen to keep hold of the 25-year-old.

Cherries host West Ham on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Solanke, a one-time England international, joined Cherries from Liverpool in January 2019 for an initial £17.5million.

He has scored 56 goals and provided 27 assists in his 174 appearances for the club, becoming one of the first names on the team sheet in the past couple of years.

The striker penned a new four-year contract with Cherries last summer.

He did not feature in Cherries’ final pre-season fixture on Saturday, remaining an unused substitute in the 2-0 victory over FC Lorient. Kieffer Moore instead led the line, playing the full 90 minutes and scoring in the win.

“We decided not to put Dom on, even if he was on the bench,” head coach Andoni Iraola told the Daily Echo.

“Because if you feel anything that is not 100 per cent, it was not the moment to take risks.”