West Bromwich Albion are in talks with Bournemouth over a deal for Josh King but the Premier League strugglers won’t pay £10 million up front for the Norway international, according to the Express and Star.
While Cherries boss Jason Tindall is understandably keen to see his most talented attacker stick around and help the South Coast club storm the Championship, King’s contract situation complicates matters.
The former Manchester United youngster is due to become a free agent in 2021.
And Bournemouth know, unless they can find a buyer before 16 October, they run the risk of losing King for nothing.
The Express and Star reports the 28-year-old is now valued at a cut-price £10 million – one–third of the fee Bournemouth were demanding when Man United tried to lure the Scandinavian back to Old Trafford in January.
But funds are in short supply at West Brom.
The Baggies are said to be struggling to come to an agreement with Huddersfield Town for top target Karlan Grant and to be unable to pay the £10 million Bournemouth want for King in one go.
Fortunately, the South Coast club are willing to accept a staggered payment structure that would, in theory, see West Brom shell out £10 million across a number of instalments.
With Troy Deeney, Andre Gray and Karlan Grant also in his sights (Express & Star), Slaven Bilic appears to be prioritising a striker with a proven track record in the Premier League.
King scored 12 top-flight goals as recently as 2018/19 and averages ten a season in the division.
“Josh is outstanding physically, technically and mentally – he has the complete package, a little bit of everything,” former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told Match Of The Day (16 March, 2019).
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