Chelsea probably interested in signing AFC Bournemouth’s Joshua King — report

A report from Sky Sports on Sunday claims that “four of Premier top six want to sign” in AFC Bournemouth striker Joshua King, who has one year left on his current contract and apparently isn’t close to agreeing an extension with the Cherries.

The former Manchester United prospect, of Ghanaian-Norwegian descent despite the rather English name, has been with Bournemouth since 2015 and has maintained a nearly 1-in-3 strike rate during that time — including 16 league goals in 2016-17 — which is fairly impressive considering the Cherries’ general reluctance in front of goal.

He’s often put Chelsea to the sword as well in fact with 4 goals in 8 Premier League meetings, including earlier this season in the 2-2 draw, plus a brace in last year’s 4-0 debacle.

The 28-year-old was subject to a £20m bid from United in January (before they brought in Odion Ighalo), but Bournemouth knocked that back. But with further interest from top teams, they are unlikely to be able to hold out for much longer, should King hold greater ambitions. Presumably neither Liverpool nor Manchester City are interested, which would certainly leave Chelsea as an option, which Sky’s report also speculates.

Given Chelsea’s reported interest in bringing in some better-than-Batshuayi competition for Tammy Abraham, keeping an eye on King’s situation may not be the worst thing. A relatively low fee could net us a useful and experienced Premier League-level backup.