The transfer window may well be closed until the summer, but that doesn’t stop the media discussing the fall out from the January transfer window.
Deadline day has become a big date in the calendar for European football and the biggest story on deadline day in the Premier League surrounded Manchester United and their hunt for a striker.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had his preferred choice for a forward and that was 28-year-old fellow Norweigan compatriot Joshua King.
Solskjaer had previously worked with King at Manchester United in the reserves set-up before King would move on to Blackburn Rovers and eventually AFC Bournemouth where he has spent the last five years.
King’s physicality, strength and pace is something that Solskjaer wanted to add to their front line, especially in the absence of Marcus Rashford, his versatility in being able to play centrally as either a focal point striker in the number 9 position or as a deeper forward as a number 10, as well as being able to run the channels and play out wide, made him a clear target for Manchester United.
However, coming in for King during the final hours of the transfer window made the deal difficult to complete and Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was keen to throw his weight around and try and spook AFC Bournemouth into a quick sale.
Woodward has somewhat of an image problem and according to the Daily Express and “Woodward recently hired former Sun football writer Neil Ashton for media consultancy to try to improve his image in the press.”
This move has come as Manchester United have fallen off the top step of English football and their recent transfer policy has been questioned, most notably over deals involving Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez.
With this apparently in mind, Manchester United made their offer to AFC Bournemouth for Joshua King, it was their final offer, there was no room for negotiation and according to The Athletic, AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake was given just fifteen minutes to make a decision on a £25million offer.
“You have 15 minutes to tell us whether you accept, or we’ll be signing a player from China.” Woodward is quoted as telling Blake.
AFC Bournemouth did not respond during the 15 minute time frame and Manchester United went on to complete a six-month loan deal for former Watford striker Odion Ighalo, who for the past three years has been playing in China.
The move left King disappointed, who made no secrets of his feelings towards the club that he spent a large part of his younger days with.
King told the Daily Echo…
“…it was a bit sensitive for me considering that I moved to England as a 16-year-old to achieve my dream and wanted to reach that goal at Manchester United.
“It did not (happen) and then I made a choice and left. When you hear that you are connected to United and a bid comes in, then the feelings you had as a 16-year-old come back to you.
“But why it did not happen, I do not know…”
“…I’m a Bournemouth player and I really enjoy it here. But it (to go to Manchester United) had been a dream come true, I will not lie.
“But that didn’t happen and I’m going to give everything to Bournemouth as long as I’m in this club…”
Your say…
davidwhitehead wrote…
Hopefully, Josh is 100% fit and raring to go by the time we play up at Old Trafford. Could do his career prospects the world of good ! – Join the conversation, click here.
