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Report: West Ham still want to sign Everton player, available for nothing

Will Butcher

Thu 29 April 2021 9:15, UK

Alex Crook has claimed that West Ham United are still interested in signing Everton striker Josh King this summer, having been strongly linked last summer and in January – with his contract ending in June.

King, 29, was being linked with numerous Premier League sides last summer after Bournemouth had been relegated to the Championship – but remained with the Cherries in what was the final year of his deal at the Vitality Stadium.

Having struggled at Bournemouth during the first half of the 2020-21 season, Everton swooped late on in January in a move that saw King join Everton on a permanent basis – but the 54-time Norway star only signed a deal until June.

West Ham were one of those clubs linked last summer, and then even more so in January having sold Sebastian Haller to Ajax. It is claimed by Crook that West Ham remain interested, and could now get him on a free transfer.

“West Ham have got a longstanding interest in Joshua King,” Crook told TalkSPORT. “He hasn’t pulled up any trees at Everton, so you’d imagine he’d be available as a cheaper option to [Tammy] Abraham.”

TBR’s view – Is King past it now?

Last summer, King was a very-desired player. He had scored 48 goals and created 15 more in 170 Premier League appearances – many of which had come from out wide, in the 10 role or even on the bench.

Yes, he is most natural up front but he certainly offers cover in most areas in the final third. But his indifferent 2020-21 campaign is worrying for interested parties. Struggling at Bournemouth, he is failing to have an Everton impact.

On a free, there is very little risk when it comes to adding him to the squad. If the Hammers chose to bring King on a 12-month deal, then it would make sense – but would King be happy to play back-up to Michail Antonio?