Newcastle United are planning to make a potential move to sign Josh King on a free transfer in the summer transfer window, but that relies upon him remaining at Bournemouth this month amid interest from Everton and others, according to The Sun.
The Magpies are in need of some extra firepower, with Steve Bruce’s side having now found the net just once in the last eight hours of football they have played following the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. However, the prospect of January attacking reinforcements appears slim, with Steve Bruce reportedly having no money available for permanent additions.
King is a player for whom the Magpies have been linked with a potential move this month, but Bournemouth will reportedly only sanction a permanent move for the Norway international. The Cherries have placed a £15m valuation on the forward and there is reported interest from the likes of West Ham, West Brom and Wolves.
It has now emerged that Bruce will have to wait until summer to launch a free transfer approach for King. However, the chances of that happening could be affected by Everton’s willingness to propose a swap deal with the Championship side for him, although the player will have the final say on any potential move, per The Sun.
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This has all the making of one that could get away for Newcastle, with Mike Ashley’s stringent budget tying Bruce’s hands and seemingly forcing them to watch on while other potential suitors battle it out to try and secure a move for King this month. All the Magpies can do is hope that no such agreement is reached between the Cherries and the likes of Everton.
With Newcastle struggling to create and take chances in the final third, King would be a very useful addition and he has already had a lot of chemistry with ex-Bournemouth teammates Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser. Therefore, it is hardly a gamble of a signing and, for £15m and as a proven Premier League scorer, surely it is worth adding him to the squad during this window.
Considering they were willing to spend the same fee on Jamal Lewis in the summer, despite his minimal Premier League experience, there is no reason why King should not be attainable. It is frustrating that a proven forward of top-flight quality is available for a reasonable transfer fee and the Magpies are having to wait to try and get him for nothing in the summer – when it could be all too late.
