Joshua King opts to sign for Everton so Fulham capture Josh Maja instead
Everton have signed Joshua King from Bournemouth after the Norway international opted for Goodison Park over a move to Fulham.
Bournemouth accepted bids from the two Premier League clubs on deadline day that could reach £5m, having decided to bank a fee for a striker who is out of contract in the summer and has not scored in 12 Championship appearances this season.
The 29-year-old, who had been a target for West Ham in the last transfer window, considered both offers before accepting a short-term deal with Everton. King will provide necessary cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Cenk Tosun was allowed to rejoin Besiktas on loan until the end of the season.
Tosun was one of several departures from Goodison on deadline day as Everton reduced their wage bill in order to add another high-earner to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. Despite Bernard’s proposed transfer to Al Nasr in Dubai failing to go through, goalkeeper Jonas Lössl left for FC Midtjylland, Jonjoe Kenny joined Celtic on loan and Anthony Gordon was loaned to Preston. The midfielder Beni Baningime has joined Derby County on loan for the rest of the season.
Fulham, who host Leicester on Wednesday, were prepared for the possibility of missing out on King. Scott Parker was determined to bring in additional firepower to solve his side’s lack of ruthlessness and had already lined up a loan deal for the Bordeaux forward, Josh Maja, who has scored nine goals in 45 appearances in Ligue 1.
With King reluctant to spend the rest of the season battling relegation, Fulham switched their focus to Maja. The 22-year-old began his career at Sunderland, who sold him to Bordeaux two years ago, and is regarded as an exciting talent. Fulham will hope the youngster is capable of settling quickly.
Meanwhile, as cover for King’s departure, Shane Long, the Southampton forward, joined Bournemouth on loan until the end of the season.