West Ham reportedly in talks to sign Championship star that Jermain Defoe has raved about

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West Ham United are reportedly in talks to sign Bournemouth striker Josh King this summer with a £10million fee believed to be enough to land the Norwegian ace – and Jermain Defoe’s past comments should have Hammers fans excited.

King, 28, has entered the final year of his Bournemouth contract and suffered relegation with the Cherries last summer. Little surprise, then, that he is hoping to secure a move before the end of the domestic deadline on October 16.

Premier League clubs can still do business with EFL sides and the Guardian claim that has seen West Ham open talks over a move for King. However, the Hammers are not alone, with West Brom and Aston Villa also interested in the striker.

King played alongside Hammers icon and now-Rangers striker Defoe at Bournemouth for a brief period, and the former England goal machine was full of compliments for the ex-Man United attacker – on Bournemouth’s Facebook page in 2017.

“He’s brilliant, even before I was here, he was someone that impressed me,” Defoe said. “He’s strong, scores goals, good appetite, he wants to do well. He works hard, stays behind after training. He does all the things I did, when I was his age.”

TBR’s view – King is a bargain at £10m, good signing for the Hammers

Yes, the Hammers have come under criticism for their lack of signings but there is time to put it right. On the face of it, landing Tomas Soucek on a permanent is strong business – as is solving the right-back issue with Vladimir Coufal.

Now, the Hammers need a player like King who can play out wide, up front or behind the striker. They also need a central defender and there are options that could prove to be a good signing from the Championship. West Ham must be active.

King would be a good start.