Joshua King: Bournemouth reject £13m West Ham offer
Written by News on 11/10/2020
Bournemouth have rejected an offer totalling £13m from West Ham for striker Joshua King.
The forward is in the final year of his Bournemouth contract and it’s believed the club would be open to selling him, providing they receive a suitable offer.
It is thought Bournemouth want around £18m for the Norway international who scored six times in the Premier League last season.
The 28-year-old has scored 48 Premier League goals for Bournemouth since joining in the summer of 2015 and would like an immediate return to the top-flight after relegation this summer.
The main transfer window may have closed, but a domestic window between Premier League and EFL clubs remains open until 5pm Friday – dubbed Deadline Day Two.
Manchester United failed with a bid on deadline day in January for the striker, and King is interesting a number of other Premier League sides, believed to be Everton, Villa and Brighton.
West Ham have turned their attention to Brentford winger Said Benrahma and are close to agreeing a deal for the 25-year-old.
The two clubs are in advanced talks over a deal that could potentially be worth in the region of £30m.
Crystal Palace also remain interested in the Algerian, who is currently away on international duty.
Benrahma scored 17 goals in 43 league games last season to help Brentford reach the Championship play-off final, where they were beaten by west London rivals Fulham.
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Why is King in demand?
By Sky Sports’ Adam Smith
King scored only six league goals last season, but that return came from just 13 shots on target in 24 starts – having missed the whole of January with a muscle tear.
In terms of finishing, King’s most prolific league season came in 2016/17 with 16 goals, hitting double figures for the first time in his career, and he achieved that feat again with 12 in 2018/19.
Despite playing primarily as a wide forward at a bottom-half club, he has achieved a clinical edge across his five seasons, for scoring (0.27-0.53 per 90), conversion (11-24 per cent) and shooting accuracy (43-61 per cent).
King’s strength is carrying the ball into dangerous areas, ranking 16th in the Premier League for dribbles attempted per 90 in 2019/20, while his regular bursts of pace pose a constant threat for opposition defences.
Last season, his top speed of 36.67 km/h was a whisker off the 37.78 km/h achieved by Wolves speedster Adama Traore, while few players surpass his 12.2 sprints per 90.
The visualisation below highlights his clinical finishing from few opportunities and frequent dribbles – in addition to creating an above-average number of clear-cut chances for team-mates.
The heatmaps below reveal consistent concentration down the left flank over the past three campaigns – but there was a notable spread of coverage last season and a reduction of activity in opposition boxes during the Cherries’ ill-fated campaign.
Indeed, clubs chasing King are likely to find his versatility appealing, having played in every conceivable attacking role last term: left, right and centre.
His defensive stats also impress, with 6.8 duels won per 90, with the majority of this action occurring down the left flank in the middle third – a perfect area for transitional fast breaks.
King also ranked 15th in the league for possessions won in the attacking third (9.4 per 90) – revealing he would help to press from the front.
The stats highlight King’s consistency, ball-carrying skills, defensive qualities, clinical finishing and unique versatility. Coupled with his top-flight experience and contract status, it is no wonder he is attracting interest.
Deadline Day Two
A domestic transfer window between Premier League and EFL clubs remains open until October 16 – dubbed Deadline Day Two – but how does it work?
The international deadline – where English clubs could buy, sell and loan players from abroad – closed on October 5, but an agreement between Premier League and EFL teams means players can still be transferred in England.
Following consultation between the leagues – and because FIFA allows a summer transfer window to run for up to 12 weeks – Premier League clubs can still do business with EFL sides for a further 11 days in a bid to bolster their squads.
They can make loan or permanent signings, as well as selling, but there cannot be transfers between Premier League teams.
All EFL clubs can still do domestic business with any English team up until Deadline Day Two next Friday.
The domestic transfer window will run until 5pm on Friday, October 16.
(c) Sky Sports 2020: Joshua King: Bournemouth reject £13m West Ham offer
