Aston Villa, Newcastle and Brighton are watching defender Richard King but West Ham United currently lead the race to bring Michail Antonio’s Jamaica team-mate to the Premier League.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
While the Jamaican national team are looking to secure the services of foreign-born talents eligible to represent them on the international stage – Marseille’s Mason Greenwood and Fulham’s Reiss Nelson are on the Reggae Boyz radar – new manager Steve McClaren has already inherited a squad consisting of some exciting, homegrown talent.
Richard King, 19 caps to his name already at the age of just 22, may be the jewel in the crown of this current Jamaican generation.
King currently plays for Cavalier FC, the Jamaican Premier League champions for 2023/24. But perhaps not for much longer.
HITC understands that there are at least four clubs based in England’s top flight who have been watching the 6ft 1ins colossus of late.
West Ham United lead Aston Villa and Newcastle in Richard King race
Aston Villa are interested, in the hope of linking King up with his Jamaica team-mate Leon Bailey. Newcastle are interested too, perhaps viewing the right-footed defender as a long-term successor for an ageing Fabian Schar.
Brighton are in the mix also. The Seagulls boast a formidable track record when it comes to signing under-the-radar talent from less heralded markets.
King would arrive at The Amex hoping to follow in the footsteps of Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and co.
As it stands, however, the club currently leading the race for King’s signature is West Ham United.
In Michail Antonio, The Hammers already have one of the five Jamaican internationals currently plying their trade in the Premier League. Julen Lopetegui’s side would double that tally if King was to arrive.
Suggestions that West Ham could make a move for another centre-half may come as a surprise.
The London Stadium outfit already have a £35 million Frenchman – West Ham beat Juventus to the signature of Jean-Clair Todibo – sitting on the bench right now with Konstantinos Mavropanos currently starting alongside fellow big-money signing Max Kilman.
King, his 23rd birthday still two months away, is likely to be viewed as an investment for the future and a solid rotation option for a West Ham side looking to return to European competition and fight on multiple fronts.
King’s versatility and two-footedness should appeal to Julen Lopetegui
The youngster is also two-footed enough to play on the left-hand side when required.
Given Lopetegui’s possession principles, the former Real Madrid, Spain and Wolves boss likes defenders who can pass out from the back from both sides. King has also been utilised, at times, as a defensive midfielder and as a full-back on either flank.
It is tempting to wonder, then, if The Hammers see him as a replacement for the highly versatile Ben Johnson.
West Ham were disappointed when Johnson joined Ipswich Town on a free transfer. He had turned down a new contract at the club that gave him his debut.
“You can see there is a talent,” Jamaican football expert Rayon Nelson explains. “He doesn’t look like a player who will slide in and be reckless, but he’s a talent. Richard King plays football in a composed manner.
“Richard King, who has won titles at the age of 22, looks like he can hit a different level. Ball control, making the simple passes, getting out of some tight spots, I think he has the potential to do so.
“Yes, there are some areas of his game that need to be developed. Let’s say, confidence and so forth. But I don’t see him as a player who can always be average.
“I see him as a player who can hit a different level.”
HITC understands that, in addition to King, West Ham are eyeing Oumar Solet as Red Bull Salzburg terminate his contract.
Meanwhile, Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui is not under any immediate risk of the sack. Chairman David Sullivan is backing the Spaniard to turn around a poor start to the season.
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