Josh King has admitted that he chose Everton over Premier League rivals Fulham on the final day of the January transfer window, while speaking to TV2.
When reports broke, suggesting that the former Bournemouth forward had snubbed a move to Craven Cottage in favour of Merseyside, it didn’t take long to realise why.
King had made no secret of his desire to escape the Championship at the earliest opportunity after suffering relegation last term.
While Fulham are still hopeful of reeling in 17th-placed Newcastle, there is a very real chance that Scott Parker’s side will be playing second-tier football once again in 2021/22.
Everton, in contrast, offered King the opportunity he was dreamed of – the chance to re-establish himself as a Premier League player after six months out of the top flight.
“I called Scott Parker. I felt he deserved an explanation for why I did not go for Fulham. He wanted me last summer too and seems like a good man. We had a good conversation, where he both respected and understood why I chose Everton. He wished me all the best,” explained the Norwegian, who has signed a short-term deal with Carlo Ancelotti’s side until the summer.
“I did choose the safest option with Everton. Not everything in the world is about money either. I’m not guaranteed a starting spot, I’m not guaranteed a contract further. All the guarantees I can get from Everton are based on what I do on the pitch in the coming months.
“So I have put pressure on myself, but at the same time I have the confidence to believe that I will be able to do this. Either I get a new contract at Everton, or I go somewhere else for the summer.”
With his Everton deal due to expire in July, King’s immediate future is still very much up in the air.
According to the Sun (7 February, page 60), Fulham offered the versatile forward a long-term deal until 2024, worth £75,000-a-week. The Londoners were apparently ‘stunned’ to learn that he would be accepting the Toffees’ offer instead.
“I had the choice of a long-term contract at Fulham, but then I would have had to fight to avoid relegation with the club,” King added.
“Or I could fight for games in Europe with Everton, which I have dreamed of all my career. So after all, the choice was not really that difficult, but I have a lot to prove in a short time here in Everton towards the summer.”
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