Everton, after having concluded almost £100m worth of business already in the wake of Romelu Lukaku’s awaited big-money move have set their sights on Bournemouth’s Joshua King. The 25-year-old Norwegian have alerted the likes of Spurs boss Pochettino, inter alia with his 16-goal display last season in the League. Although the player himself is apprehensive of playing second fiddle to Harry Kane and might prefer a move to Everton.
Former Manchester United protege, the player signed for Blackburn in 2013 after an array of loan spells. A Bournemouth player since 2015, the player has 3 years on his contract with The Cherries. The player is an admirer of manager Eddie Howe and admitted that the lure of top-flight football made him consider the move to Dean Court. In a game against Manchester United, he unabashedly celebrated scoring the winning goal against his former employers, later admitting he was disgruntled by the way then United boss Sir Alex Ferguson refused to speak to him or any of the young players during his time at the club.
A move to the Merseyside makes better sense for the forward, with Ronald Koeman looking for personnel to lead the line at Everton. Everton recently concluded the signing of 21-year-old Malaga forward Sandro Ramirez. Not a natural NO. 9, Koeman wouldn’t mind signing an out and out forward to complement Sandro, with the Premier-League-tested King.
Also linked with Olivier Giroud, who may be deemed surplus to requirement at The Emirates in the wake of Arsenal signing Lacazette, Koeman would bear in mind, that at 30 years, the Frenchman is perhaps already past his prime. Although Giroud may come cheaper at £20m as compared to the £30m price tag slapped on King, the return on investment with the latter may prove to be much higher in the long run. The wages commanded by the Norwegian is also likely to be much less than what Everton might have to shell out for the French international.
As for Bournemouth, who have recently signed Jermain Defoe on a free, letting King join another club may not be the end of the world. They are also looking to balance their books having splashed money on Nathan Ake (£20m) and a resultant increase in their wage bill following the acquisition of Ake and Defoe. Koeman is hopeful of beating Spurs to the Norwegian’s signature with the lure of first-team football and a chance to feature in Europe. Although not as physically imposing as Giroud, the forward is more mobile and is perhaps hitting his peak, having scored 16 times last season, more than he has managed in any campaign so far. King’s agility and ability to run between channels makes him better suited to head the lines of the young and exciting Everton side for years to come.
