Just as soon as West Ham were reported to be interested in Joshua King, a price tag of £17.5 million emerged which could put the Hammers off.
West Ham requires another attacking player after the permanent exits of Grady Diangana, Jordan Hugill and Albian Ajeti. The loan of Felipe Anderson to FC Porto has also made the need for a new attacker urgent.
The current options of Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller have too different playing style. There needs to be a new option that can provide competition to Antonio, and if they can play on the wing that would be a bonus.
Joshua King would have been perfect for this as he can play across the front line and is in the last year of his contract. With his contract running out and his high wages, it was thought that King would not cost too much in terms of his transfer fee.
The Guardian is reporting however that AFC Bournemouth wants £17.5 million for their striker. This fee could force the Hammers to look at other attackers from the Championship.
KARLAN GRANT
Since breaking into the Huddersfield Town side, Karlan Grant has been a deadly striker. Grant scored four goals in thirteen Premier League games before the Terrier’s relegation, including two against the Hammers in Huddersfield’s 4-3 loss at the London Stadium.
The 23-year-old spent last season in the Championship and was one of the top strikers in the League. Grant scored nineteen goals and provided four assists in forty-three appearances in the League.
Grant can play in a host of positions. Whilst mainly being deployed as a striker, the Terrier is equally effective from the left-wing and could be a decent replacement for Anderson and Diangana.
West Brom are interested in Grant and have made a £16 million-£17 million bid for the striker. This price may be similar to King’s, but as Grant is five years, his junior would prove to be better value for money in the long-term.
ADAM ARMSTRONG
With six goals in six games in all competitions so far this season, Adam Armstrong is a man on fire. The former Newcastle youngster has shown that he’s improving from his great season last year when he scored sixteen goals for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.
Armstrong is blessed with pace, and a high work rate which would make him a great option should Antonio pick up an injury. However, the 23-year-old does not have the height of Antonio or King, standing at 1.73 metres.
He would not offer the same ariel threat as the Hammers current options. Being shorter may not be a bad thing as Armstrong could form a solid partnership with Haller, in a classic big man, small man combo.
That being said, Armstrong is currently playing as a lone-striker in Blackburn’s 4-3-3 set-up. This does mean that the striker could be given a chance to replicate Antonio’s job.
Armstrong would be cheaper than Grant and King, especially with Blackburn’s current financial position. Rovers are reliant on investment from their owners and could be forced into a sale to help balance the books.
Currently valued at £3.6 million on transfermarkt.com, the Hammers would be lucky to get him for anything close to that. But, a bid of £8-£10 million could be enough to convince Blackburn to sell their prized asset.
The chase for King may not be over as the player has already held discussion with his club about a move away. The Hammers also believe that his fee should be lower, but if it does fall through there are some good alternatives.