West Bromwich Albion are offering to pay a lump sum of around £5 million, plus the same amount in instalments, for the Bournemouth striker Josh King, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims West Brom have entered talks about a deal for King, for whom Bournemouth want £10m.
But that is said to be more than the Baggies can afford to pay up front.
It adds the approach followed a plea by the West Brom manager, Slaven Bilic, to the club’s board, to solve his side’s shortage of attacking options.
Hal Robson-Kanu is set to be out for months after the Welshman underwent surgery on a broken arm, while a £16m pursuit of the Huddersfield Town striker Karlan Grant has hit a brick wall, according to The Sun.
West Brom’s search has been limited by the close of the window for Premier League and international transfers, with Football League clubs their final port of call until 5pm next Friday, when the deadline for domestic deals passes.
And King, who was said to have interested Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year, is perhaps as good a candidate as any.
The Sun‘s report does not stray far from that of The Express & Star this morning – some might say, suspiciously.
The latter piece does not, however, mention anything about a £5m up front fee, nor any specific plea by Bilic, and claims a deal for Grant is expected to be completed.
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