Report: West Ham still chasing Josh King, remains top Moyes target
Josh King remains the ‘main transfer target’ for West Ham despite reports of issues surrounding his wage demands, according to talkSPORT.
West Ham have been scouring the market for a striker ever since they sold club-record signing Sebastien Haller to Ajax at the start of the window.
Speculation linking King with a move to East-London seemed to have died down in recent week with the Irons rumoured to be after a number of other striking targets, including RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-Chan [Sky Sports].
However, reports from talkSPORT suggest a move could be back on with the broadcasting station revealing King “remains West Ham’s main transfer target” and that speculation over huge wage demands causing an issue is ‘misguided’.
This is the latest exciting development coming out of the London Stadium after a flurry of recent activity from the Irons including the permanent capture of Said Benrahma alongside the expected capture of Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard on loan.
King’s £45,000 per week contract [spotrac] at Bournemouth expires this summer but the Irons will have to be quick to secure a deal before the transfer window slams shut on February 1.
Able Antonio back-up
This is news that will be of great relief to West Ham fans who feared the worst heading into the final few days of the January transfer window.
With only Michail Antonio available as a senior striking option at the club things look precarious if he remains sidelined through suspension or injury.
It is the latter that is most concerning given the 30-year-old has missed eight Premier League games this season with a hamstring complaint and has only reached 30 league appearances once in his Hammers career.
David Moyes has masterminded a brilliant start to the season for West Ham with the club sitting fifth as the league enters the second half of a topsy-tuvy campaign so far.
King fits the mould in terms of an Antonio replacement given his ability to stretch defences with his direct running in behind, something previous incumbent Haller was unable to do.
In other West Ham news, see our exclusive interview with Frank McAvennie for his reaction to the permanent capture of Said Benrahma.