Said Benrahma has just six-weeks to prove to West Ham United that they do not need to sign AFC Bournemouth forward Joshua King amid reports of a potential new approach.

What’s the word?

According to Claret & Hugh, the Hammers are considering reviving David Moyes’ interest in King come the January window after opting to sign Benrahma over the Norway international this summer.

Moyes and the West Ham first-team had favoured the potential of adding King to the squad currently assembled at the London Stadium, with the feeling in east London that support for Michail Antonio up front would be vastly more beneficial than signing an additional winger.

Irons chiefs ultimately convinced Moyes to green light the initial £5million loan deal for Benrahma which features a £20m obligation to buy next summer. But with Sebastien Haller struggling to fill the void left by Antonio following his hamstring injury, could revisit King’s situation with the striker out of contract in 2020.

West Ham offered Bournemouth £13m in the hope of signing King this summer, yet saw the approach rejected as the Cherries held firm in demanding in excess of £17m.

It remains to be seen if West Ham do look fondly on King’s services when the winter market opens, and how open-minded Bournemouth are to selling a player who could be key to their promotion efforts after starting the Championship campaign with five wins in 11.

Benrahma has a point to prove

With West Ham chiefs backing Benrahma’s capture over Moyes’ wishes to sign King, the Algerian forward will have a point to prove over the next six weeks to show why the Hammers were not wrong to favour his arrival over the Norway international’s.

Benrahma penned his first assist in claret and blue at home to London rivals Fulham prior to the international break, but also conceded the late penalty Ademola Lookman wasted in the closing stages that could have allowed the Cottagers to steal a point.

King has hardly hit any lofty heights for Bournemouth this season, either, with the former Manchester United target yet to get off the mark for goals or assists after five Championship appearances following an early thigh injury.

Benrahma, no doubt, has the potential to shine at the London Stadium after striking 17 goals and 10 assists with Brentford last season, while former OGC Nice teammate Lorenzo Vinci lauds the Algerian as a true magician for his smooth and silky skills.

“For me, there’s no debate, it’s Said!” Vinci told Actufoot when asked who his most technical teammate has been. “He impressed me so much when we played together. He was able to do anything in any space. A real magician.”

Benrahma may have just six-weeks to prove his magic in east London, though, as King has frequently had his own admirers – including Moyes – while former Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe lauded the 28-year-old as a “complete” player during his time at the Vitality.

“Josh is outstanding physically, technically and mentally – he has the complete package, a little bit of everything,” Howe said, via quotes by The Football Faithful. “He wants goals to show that potential is so high with him.”

AND in other news, David Moyes can solve a West Ham dilemma by unleashing his plan for a £10.8m-rated dynamo.