Aston Villa icon Gabby Agbonlahor has backed David Moyes to bring AFC Bournemouth striker Joshua King to West Ham United in January after falling short this summer.

What’s he said?

Speaking with Football Insider, Agbonlahor has stated that he expects Moyes to revive his efforts to sign King in January after the Irons could not get a deal for the Norway international across the line.

Moyes had favoured the capture of King amid his search for offensive reinforcements but was convinced by West Ham’s hierarchy to greenlight a deal for Said Benrahma, who was ultimately unveiled in claret and blue on Deadline Day after signing a one-season loan from Brentford with an obligation to buy.

West Ham had held discussions with Bournemouth to sound out the Cherries’ commitment to King, who is set to be out of contract next summer, though saw a £13million offer rejected as the south coast side demanded in excess of £17m.

But the Hammers have not withdrawn their interest since signing Benrahma, with reports the east London outfit are laying the groundwork for a winter move as King’s contract situation could see that he is available for around £10m.

Agbonlahor fully expects West Ham to strive to secure King’s services, as a move would suit both the Irons and Bournemouth.

“It’s a move that works for both clubs,” the player-turned-pundit said. “Bournemouth don’t want to let him go for free in the summer.

“It might be a figure of maybe £7-10million in January. West Ham will know [Michail] Antonio will get injuries with the way he plays, so they’ll definitely be looking to get him and I think it’s definitely something that’ll get done in January.

“He’ll be a perfect addition and just what West Ham need.”

Watch out Fornals

With Moyes’ interest in King ensuring that West Ham are continually being linked with the Bournemouth forward, Pablo Fornals may need to start watching over his shoulder ahead of the New Year as the Norwegian could indeed prove to be a “perfect” bonus as Agbonlahor claims.

King has shrugged off his disappointment at failing to secure a move away from the Vitality Stadium and an early thigh injury to feature in the Cherries’ last four Championship fixtures, in which the 28-year-old has created one and missed one big chance to score, per SofaScore.

He has additionally averaged 1.0 shots and 0.6 key balls per second-tier appearance, along with playing 74.6% of his accurate passes in the opponent’s half, completing one in four dribbles and winning possession 0.6 times.

It would be unlikely that King could displace Antonio in Moyes’ plans, with the 30-year-old accounting for West Ham’s most shots (18), second-most successful dribbles (13), aerial duels won (17) and fourth-most key balls (six), per WhoScored, in the Premier League, but the Norwegian could rival Fornals for the supporting role.

Fornals only averaged 1.0 shots, 0.8 key balls and 0.3 successful dribbles per game when fielded centrally in the top-flight last term, per WhoScored, and could find his place on the wing under threat following Benrahma’s debut from the bench at Liverpool.

AND in other news, a Manuel Pellegrini flop has been dubbed a "big disappointment" in a further blow to West Ham.