Greg O’Keeffe and Patrick Boyland hint at Joshua King Everton exit
Josh King’s future at Everton is in doubt, according to The Athletic journalists Greg O’Keeffe and Patrick Boyland.
The forward signed from Bournemouth for a nominal fee in January on a deal until the end of the season, with an option in place to extend his stay when that contract expires [BBC].
However, King has featured in eight games and is yet to start a match, and because of that Boyland thinks there is less chance of him prolonging his Goodison career.
He told The Athletic’s Gwlad Tidings podcast [01/04], “You’d have to suggest that because things have been slow up to now the chances of him extending his time at Goodison must have decreased.”
And O’Keeffe agreed with his colleague, stating, “Maybe they both shake hands at the end of the period and say ‘let’s call it a day’, he served a purpose and Everton did for him.
“The impression I got from speaking to people at Everton is that he wants to be playing football, he probably hasn’t done as much of that as he would have liked in fairness.
“He’s got options, there are clubs who want to take him in this country and in Europe so maybe that’s a case where they might well go their separate ways.”
Better options needed
Signing King for a nominal fee seemed like a great deal in January.
It may not have worked out as we would have liked but it was certainly worth the risk in order to provide competition for Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, the 29-year-old falls some way short of their quality and we doubt he is the man to lead us into Europe.
As a result, we should let him go, save on his wages, and put that money towards a higher calibre player with more quality.
Ultimately, Carlo Ancelotti does not seem to be a fan of what King offers – that’s why he has been limited to cameo appearances.
In recent weeks the Italian has also utilised a more narrow formation with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison starting up-front.
That leaves no space for King, who Ancelotti likes to use as a winger, and it would probably best for both parties if the Norway international left in the summer.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have been set a £12.8m price tag for striker Ancelotti is really keen on.
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