Report: PL rival wants to sign ‘one of the best’ after Everton release, he’s keen to join

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Watford are set to sign Joshua King and keep the former Everton attacker in the Premier League, per The Sun.

Everton released King at the end of his contract last month having failed to establish himself under Carlo Ancelotti. The Norway international failed to start a single game, score a goal or provide an assist under the Italian, after a last-ditch move from Bournemouth in February.

He signed a five-month contract with the Toffees in a move that could have reached £5m, per talkSPORT, had he later agreed to a longer stay. But the Blues released him with Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie, who Berkshire Live claim Reading want to sign.

But while Bolasie is wanted in the Championship, Watford want to keep Everton flop King in the Premier League. The 29-year-old also wants to join the Hornets, and will gladly accept the terms they have offered.

King earned £45,000-per-week with Everton, but his decision ensures the 54-cap attacker fits within the Vicarage Road side’s budget for summer transfers, upon their return to the top-flight as Championship runners-up.

Xisco’s side have already signed left-back Danny Rose after he left Tottenham Hotspur as a free agent. Watford also announced on Friday that Dapo Mebude had joined after Rangers released the 19-year-old at the end of last season.

Redemption for King at Watford after Everton failure?

King will want to redeem himself at Watford after failing to succeed at Everton. The forward had a difficult relationship with former Toffees boss Ancelotti during their time together at Goodison Park. But his performances also ensured he rarely featured.

The Norwegian often lost the ball easily and his inability to break his duct overshadowed the few bright moments. It left Ancelotti at ease leaving his winter arrival on the bench, or even out of the squad. A situation that saw King tell Dagbladet last month that he felt lied to.

Even though Ancelotti was, at times, full of praise for the Manchester United product. Speaking after King found the back of the net against Fulham only for it to be ruled offside, Ancelotti told BBC Sport: “The game he played, he played well. He was one of the best.”