Everton snapped up Josh King from under Scott Parker’s nose on transfer deadline day with Fulham ‘stunned’ to miss out on the Bournemouth striker, as reported by the Sun (7 February, page 60).
It was certainly one of the oddest transfers we have seen for some time.
Despite the fact that his Bournemouth contract was due to expire next summer, Everton brought King to Goodison Park in January on a contract which, strangely enough, will expire next summer.
The Toffees paid £5 million for the privilege too.
If King fails to make a name for himself on the blue half of Merseyside, there is a very real chance that the former Manchester United youngster will move on again in when he becomes a free agent in July.
You can understand, then, why Fulham were surprised to see King choose Everton over a move to Craven Cottage.
Fulham were willing to offer the 29-year-old a secure, long-term deal until 2024; one that would have seen King take home a handsome weekly wage of around £75,000 (£4 million a season).
Then again, King had made it clear on multiple occasions that he was desperate to play Premier League football as he approaches what should be the peak years of his career.
Perhaps he had concerns about joining a Fulham side who, barring a remarkable escape act, will be joining Bournemouth in the Championship at some point over the next few months.
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