West Ham could still have a positive January transfer window and strengthen the side despite not having a war chest to dip their hands into.
It has been reported that West Ham will not have a substantial budget for the upcoming transfer window. This may not be the end to all transfer business as one of the club’s key targets could be available for a cut-price fee.
AFC Bournemouth’s star man Joshua King is in the final year of his contract and could. leave the Cherries for nothing next summer. The Norweigan was a target for the Hammers in the summer before they eventually signed Said Benrahma. With King’s contract running down a move could be made for the striker well below market value.
There have been further reports that West Ham still holds an interest in King as they search for another striker option. The 28-year-old would fit into David Moyes system brilliantly due to his pace and play style. The Hammers need another striker option due to Michail Antonio being prone to injury and Sebastien Haller‘s struggle to fit the current system.
King could agree to a deal with the Hammers on January 1st to sign for them next summer. That would not necessarily mean that he won’t join in the same month if the club are clever. Cast your mind back to 2013 Tottenham had agreed to sign at the time german wonderkid Lewis Holtby on a pre-contract agreement.
Spurs wanted the player sooner and as it was confirmed that he would leave Schalke for nothing in the summer, the German club accepted a fee of £1.5 million. Holtby at the time was one of the most promising players in the Bundesliga and should have been sold for a much higher figure.
West Ham could be clever and try to implement a similar strategy in their pursuit of King. The striker has struggled for game-time in the Championship and has only made five appearances, so Bournemouth aren’t reliant on him at the moment. This could be another advantage for the Hammers.
King is a proven Premier League goalscorer and certainly, give the Hammers another string to their bow. The deal may not break the bank either so it could be very low risk and high reward transfer if the club pulls it off.