According to reports in The Sun, via HITC, West Ham United are eyeing a summer move for Bournemouth forward Josh King.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic wants to sign a prolific attacker this summer with his side largely struggling for goals – and a striker that is consistently fit – this season.

Simone Zaza joined on loan but failed to impress – or score a goal – before returning to parent club Juventus in January, while Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho have once again been hampered by injury problems.

Michail Antonio – who has often been deployed at right-back this term – is the club’s top marksman this term, and that says it all really.

It means that the Croatian has stepped up his search to strengthen his options up top, and that has led him to take a closer look at the Norway international, who has enjoyed an impressive campaign with the Cherries.

How has he done?

He’s done very well.

In 28 Premier League appearances for the south coast outfit, King has scored 11 goals – including a hat-trick against the Irons earlier this month.

Would he have impressed Bilic in that game?

Yes, definitely.

Although he started proceedings by putting a penalty wide, the 25-year-old showed good mentality to come back and bag a treble, which included some good finishing.

The first was particularly impressive, as he lifted the ball over the Irons’ January transfer window signing Jose Fonte, before finishing past Darren Randolph in the West Ham goal.

Where would he fit into the West Ham side?

Interestingly, the best of King’s form has come from him being utilised in something of a free role behind the striker – perhaps similar to the one that Dimitri Payet used to have for the Hammers.

However, the Norwegian forward can play anywhere across the frontline, and has shown that a goalscoring threat he can be.

Could he finally solve West Ham’s striker problem?

Probably not.

Despite his impressive goalscoring stats King doesn’t appear to be the out-and-out striker Bilic craves, and would likely be an additional buy in the attacking positions to play in and around the new focal point of the team.

[ad_pod id='playwire' align='center']