Exclusive: McAvennie wants West Ham to sign King ASAP after Haller sale
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
After selling Sebastien Haller to Ajax, West Ham should try to sign Bournemouth striker Joshua King as soon as possible, according to Frank McAvennie.
Last month, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook reported that the Hammers have been working on a deal to sign King, 28, this month with the Norway international’s deal at Bournemouth set to expire at the end of the season.
It is understood that the former Blackburn and Manchester United striker is keen to move to the London Stadium after David Moyes saw a bid to sign him in the summer fail.
McAvennie has warned West Ham about waiting around until the latter stages of the January transfer window to sign King amid interest from other teams.
“I think they should go for this boy King,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“He’s in the last months of his contract so you’ll get him – I think they can get him now and bring him in.
“But, once again, they’re going to leave it until the end [of the transfer window]. Just go and get him now because there are other teams interested.
“Don’t leave it until the end. Go and sign him.
“He’s a decent player.”
King has struggled for game-time at Bournemouth this season with the Norwegian international starting just three matches in the Championship.
However, on Saturday, he scored two goals and assisted another as the Cherries beat Oldham 4-1 in the FA Cup.
While that performance was against a League Two side, it shows that King shouldn’t take too long to get up to speed and get him back to his best if he was to join West Ham this month.
We’d be surprised if he ends up staying put at Bournemouth past the final day of the January transfer window so let’s hope he’s wearing claret and blue by the time February comes around and not the colours of any other team.
In other West Ham news, Irons target Boulaye Dia could cost £10million.