Are West Ham United lining up a double swoop on the south coast?
The international transfer window may well have closed, however, Premier League and English Football League clubs can still do business for another week.
With top-flight clubs clambering to add quality to their squads for a busy couple of months, this could put a premium price on prospective targets in the Championship, especially players who hold years of experience in the Premier League.
West Ham United are reportedly keeping a close eye on how things are going at Dean Court, with potential interest in not one, but two of Jason Tindall’s squad.
The first is a player who everyone has really expected to depart the south coast this summer, only a shortage of interest has kept him an AFC Bournemouth player and that is Norweigan striker Joshua King. King’s contract at Dean Court is set to expire in just nine months time and has previously had interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
King joined AFC Bournemouth in May 2015 for a reported fee of just £1million from Blackburn Rovers. He is arguably, the Cherries best signing of the Premier League era.
King has made 171 appearances for AFC Bournemouth in all competitions, scoring 50 goals, 48 of which came in the Premier League making him the Cherries highest goalscorer in the top division of English football.
King missed AFC Bournemouth’s most recent game against Coventry City with an unfortunately timed migraine and is now away on international duty with Norway.
Ahead of the international transfer window closing, the Cherries rejected a reported “derisory” offer from Italian side Torino. This was widely reported, including Alex Crook from talkSport.
Can confirm #AFCB rejected a 'derisory' bid from Torino Josh King. Offer came in yesterday and they are not expecting an improved one #DeadlineDay
— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) October 5, 2020
AFC Bournemouth had received no offers from any other clubs according to Tom Barclay of The Sun, ahead of that window closing, but interest now appears to be picking up, with both West Ham United and West Bromich Albion showing interest.
I'm told Bournemouth have had no offers or contact from any club this window for Josh King, barring Torino who had a bid rejected on Sunday. Would still think it's likely he goes before the window closes, but that's where we're at at present
— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) October 7, 2020
Am told #WHUFC have held talks with the agent of #AFCB striker Josh King. No formal bid yet received from either them or #WBA who are also said to be interested in the Norwegian.
— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) October 8, 2020
AFC Bournemouth would reportedly consider offers of between £10-15million for the 28-year-old according to Jack Rosser from the Standard.
As per @alex_crook, understand West Ham have made contact with Joshua King's agent over a deal to sign him from Bournemouth.
Cherries would consider bids around £10-15m. #whufc #afcb
— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) October 8, 2020
According to the Daily Star their second Cherries target is centre back Steve Cook.
The report claims that following their loan deal for Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori falling through at the last minute, West Ham manager David Moyes “is now shopping in the Championship for an alternative. Watford’s Craig Dawson and Steve Cook of Bournemouth are among several options being explored.”
There is no mention of how much Steve Cook could potentially be signed for. The 29-year-old, like King, is also out of contract at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Steve Cook joined the Cherries initially on loan in October 2011 before making the deal permanent in January 2012. Brighton & Hove Albion accepted an offer of £150,000 for the centre back.
In total Cook has made 342 appearances for the club in all competitions, won promotion from League One in 2013 and the Championship in 2015 and made 168 appearances in the Premier League.
West Ham could potentially have competition for Steve Cook’s signature from Burnley, according to Alan Nixon from The Sun.
Burnley. Keen to sign Steve Cook from Bournemouth. Cost about 8. Selling Tarkowksi would give them funds. Dawson at Watford and Dann at Palace also on list.
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) September 27, 2020
Your say…
SteveJonesLegend wrote…
It’s painfully evident King doesn’t want to be here. The sooner we can move him on, the sooner we can replace…
It’s better to get £10m (which is nothing really for a player of his calibre) and bring someone in, than block a move with unrealistic fees, have an unhappy King, no more options bought in, and he goes for nothing in 6 months… – Join the conversation, click here.
