Everton set to reject King and pursue other forward targets - Sources

By Wayne Veysey

25th Mar, 2021 | 7:00am

Sources: Ancelotti makes up mind on Everton triggering King signing option

Everton are set to snub a long-term Josh King deal and pursue alternative forward targets this summer, Football Insider has learned.

The versatile forward, 29, joined the Merseysiders on deadline day in the January window after they beat rivals including Fulham to a last-gasp transfer.

King signed on a short-term deal and his future is uncertain when that expires at the end of the season.

 

An Everton source has told Football Insider that manager Carlo Ancelotti has decided not to take up the option to sign King permanently.

He has not been impressed with the Norway international and will instead look to pursue other forwards.

Everton paid Bournemouth what they claimed was a “nominal” fee for King in January to beat Fulham to his signature.

Football Insider has been told that sum was actually £2million.

The Merseysiders would then need to pay the Championship club a further top-up fee were they to take up their option of a longer term King deal.

The forward has yet to start a Premier League match for Everton and his eight appearances so far have all come as a sub.

The most recent of those was a 24-minute run-out in the 2-1 defeat to Burnley on 13th March.

Tellingly, he was overlooked for the starting XI against Man City and Liverpool even when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was not deemed fit enough to start.

King joined Everton after six years at Bournemouth, where he scored 53 goals in 184 matches.

In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed how Moshiri stance at Everton has changed amid £100m development.