According to the Daily Star, West Ham are still interested in Bournemouth’s Josh King and have made the striker their top target.
The Daily Star‘s report adds that the Norway international is keen on the move.
The Hammers saw a £13 million bid rejected in the summer for the former Manchester United forward’s services.
They are still interested, although the Cherries are determined not to lose the attacker – who they paid £1 million for – on the cheap.
However, King’s contract at Bournemouth expires in June, leaving the Cherries in a difficult situation.
They can either cash in on the 28-year-old now for a fee, or they will lose him for nothing in the summer.
Despite showcasing some good football in the Premier League, the former Blackburn striker is struggling in the Championship this term.
King has failed to score or assist a goal in eight Championship appearances this season.
Perhaps he became distracted by the summer interest in his services, although that would be purely speculative.
As aforesaid, King’s Premier League record is respectable.
The Oslo-born attacker scored 48 goals in 161 appearances, while also registering 14 assists.
Former West Ham poacher Jermain Defoe is a big fan.
Speaking on Bournemouth’s Facebook page in 2017, the Englishman described King as ‘brilliant’ amid a barrage of compliments.
Defoe said: ‘He’s brilliant, even before I was here, he was someone that impressed me.
‘He’s strong, scores goals, good appetite, he wants to do well. He works hard, stays behind after training. He does all the things I did, when I was his age.’
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