Joshua King: West Ham interested in signing Bournemouth forward

West Ham are interested in signing forward Joshua King from Bournemouth.

The main transfer window may have closed, but a domestic window between Premier League and EFL clubs remains open until October 16 - dubbed Deadline Day Two.

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Bournemouth have already lost several of their best players since suffering relegation from the Premier League last season. Nathan Ake joined Manchester City, Aaron Ramsdale returned to Sheffield United and Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser moved to Newcastle.

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King could be another big name to depart and West Ham are thought to be one of several clubs interested in his signature. It is thought Bournemouth would want around £18m for the Norway international.

The 28-year-old scored six times for Bournemouth in the Premier League last season and could have joined former club Manchester United on Deadline Day in January.

United made an initial bid of £20m for King, which was rejected by Bournemouth, but then failed to return with a second offer.

United were linked with a number of different strikers during the January window and ended up bringing in Odion Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua.

King has scored 50 goals in 167 appearances for Bournemouth and was also mentioned as a potential target for Tottenham before they signed Carlos Vinicius from Benfica on a season-long loan.

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Why is King in demand?

By Sky Sports' Adam Smith

King scored only six league goals last season, but that return came from just 13 shots on target in 24 starts - having missed the whole of January with a muscle tear.

In terms of finishing, King's most prolific league season came in 2016/17 with 16 goals, hitting double figures for the first time in his career, and he achieved that feat again with 12 in 2018/19.

Despite playing primarily as a wide forward at a bottom-half club, he has achieved a clinical edge across his five seasons, for scoring (0.27-0.53 per 90), conversion (11-24 per cent) and shooting accuracy (43-61 per cent).

King's strength is carrying the ball into dangerous areas, ranking 16th in the Premier League for dribbles attempted per 90 in 2019/20, while his regular bursts of pace pose a constant threat for opposition defences.

Last season, his top speed of 36.67 km/h was a whisker off the 37.78 km/h achieved by Wolves speedster Adama Traore, while few players surpass his 12.2 sprints per 90.

The visualisation below highlights his clinical finishing from few opportunities and frequent dribbles - in addition to creating an above-average number of clear-cut chances for team-mates.

The heatmaps below reveal consistent concentration down the left flank over the past three campaigns - but there was a notable spread of coverage last season and a reduction of activity in opposition boxes during the Cherries' ill-fated campaign.

Indeed, clubs chasing King are likely to find his versatility appealing, having played in every conceivable attacking role last term: left, right and centre.

His defensive stats also impress, with 6.8 duels won per 90, with the majority of this action occurring down the left flank in the middle third - a perfect area for transitional fast breaks.

King also ranked 15th in the league for possessions won in the attacking third (9.4 per 90) - revealing he would help to press from the front.

The stats highlight King's consistency, ball-carrying skills, defensive qualities, clinical finishing and unique versatility. Coupled with his top-flight experience and contract status, it is no wonder he is attracting interest.

Deadline Day Two

A domestic transfer window between Premier League and EFL clubs remains open until October 16 - dubbed Deadline Day Two - but how does it work?

The international deadline - where English clubs could buy, sell and loan players from abroad - closed on October 5, but an agreement between Premier League and EFL teams means players can still be transferred in England.

Following consultation between the leagues - and because FIFA allows a summer transfer window to run for up to 12 weeks - Premier League clubs can still do business with EFL sides for a further 11 days in a bid to bolster their squads.

They can make loan or permanent signings, as well as selling, but there cannot be transfers between Premier League teams.

All EFL clubs can still do domestic business with any English team up until Deadline Day Two next Friday.

The domestic transfer window will run until 5pm on Friday, October 16.

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