---
title: "West Ham face heavy competition from WBA for Josh King"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/06/west-ham-wba-josh-king-transfer-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2021-01-06T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-06T12:00:00Z"
---

# West Ham face heavy competition from WBA for Josh King

West Brom pose a serious threat to West Ham’s prospects of bringing in long-term target [Josh King](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/31/west-ham-fans-react-to-yet-more-josh-king-speculation/) from Bournemouth after the Baggies’ interest was reported by the [Daily Mail.](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9114759/West-Brom-boss-Sam-Allardyce-eyes-cut-price-deal-favour-Bournemouth-striker-Josh-King.html)

According to the outlet, Sam Allardyce is eyeing up the Norwegian international, who is [out of contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/profil/spieler/91059) in the summer, as a bargain option with proven Premier League experience to bolster Albion’s goal threat.

Bournemouth [rejected bids](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9114759/West-Brom-boss-Sam-Allardyce-eyes-cut-price-deal-favour-Bournemouth-striker-Josh-King.html) for King from West Ham and Serie A outfit Torino in the summer, believing that the 28-year-old had a pivotal role to play in the Cherries’ bid for automatic promotion. However, he has fallen behind the likes of [Dominic Solanke and Sam Surridge](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/afc-bournemouth/leistungsdaten/verein/989) in the pecking order at the Vitality Stadium.

King [developed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/profil/spieler/91059) through the Manchester United academy in his early career before [making the switch to Blackburn](https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/rovers-complete-king-deal-502729.aspx) in search of more senior game-time. He then moved to the south coast for [just £1m](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9114759/West-Brom-boss-Sam-Allardyce-eyes-cut-price-deal-favour-Bournemouth-striker-Josh-King.html) after his Ewood Park deal expired.

The Red Devils even [tried to sign the centre-forward](https://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/king-flirts-with-man-utd-move-as-bournemouth-striker-reveals/fg88txriaa8r13hkdk2z73n5c) in the previous January window, but the Cherries resisted offers. The 28-year-old will reportedly be allowed to leave this month, but Bournemouth are adamant they will not let key assets exit the club in cut-price deals which they feel are not reflective of players’ real value.

### Read West Ham Verdict

The Hammers desperately need some added firepower, as Michail Antonio is [only just returning](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jan/01/everton-v-west-ham-united-premier-league-live) to the fold after injury whilst [club record signing](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/17/west-ham-sebastien-haller-club-record-fee) Sebastien Haller remains [an inconsistent option](https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2020/10/04/sebastien-haller-has-a-future-in-west-ham-uniteds-starting-xi/) who is prone to dry spells in front of goal.

King has managed [50 goals in almost 180 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/profil/spieler/91059) for the Cherries and is an [established Premier League striker](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/91059/wettbewerb/GB1). He could certainly be a candidate to meaningfully challenge Moyes’ existing centre-forward options.