Eddie Howe is reported to want Josh King as one of his first Celtic signings.
According to The Sun the Everton striker is being lined up to replace Odsonne Edouard but the detail and economics of the move seem flimsy.
King left Bournemouth for Everton in February on a short term deal but has yet to score with just 117 minutes played over eight matches. In the Championship he played 582 minutes for Bournemouth over 12 matches without scoring.
The 29-year-old is very much a second striker with his most productive seasons being in 2016/17 when he scored 16 times in the EPL and 12 in season 2018/19. Stats from Transfermarkt.
The Sun reports:
EDDIE HOWE wants Josh King to snub the Premier League and become one of his first Celtic signings. The incoming Hoops boss has identified the Norwegian hitman as a replacement for wantaway Odsonne Edouard.
King has struggled to impress at Everton after joining on a short-term deal from Bournemouth, but several English clubs are still keen on him. Howe will have to talk his former Cherries striker into taking a wage cut if they are to be reunited in Glasgow.
King, 29 — understood to be earning £45,000 a week at Goodison — enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career when he worked under Howe. He has yet to start a match for Everton and looks certain to quit the club this summer.
It would be quite an act of faith on Howe’s part, assuming he becomes the Celtic boss, to put together a salary package to tempt King to move to Scotland.
Edouard’s departure will create a big hole in the Celtic side with nothing this season from Leigh Griffiths, Albian Ajeti or Patryk Klimala to suggest that they can lead the line next season and score 20 plus goals.
CLICK HERE for King’s Transfermarkt profile.
