Mike McGrath's transfer notebook: Tottenham tracking Bournemouth striker Josh King, Leeds make move for Todd Cantwell
Josh King is on Tottenham’s radar as they look to step up their search for a striker ahead of the summer transfer deadline.
The Bournemouth striker missed the start of the Championship season following an injury suffered while on Norway duty earlier this month, with his club willing to let him leave for the right price in the final year of his contract.
Spurs remain in the market for a striker to support Harry Kane, despite signing Gareth Bale on loan from Real Madrid on a season-long loan to bolster Jose Mourinho’s workload.
King, 28, is one of their options and will remain on their radar after the Oct 5 deadline as Premier League clubs can buy from the EFL for an additional 11 days. Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall has stated he would not stand in the way of King if an acceptable offer was lodged.
Mourinho would ideally like a targetman, similar to Fernando Llorente who left last year, but Spurs have looked at a range of forwards and have been offered loan options. King can play as a striker in Mourinho’s formation and also play in the forward roles either side of a central attacker.
King had interest from Aston Villa earlier in the window in a deal worth around £16million, as he looks to join Nathan Ake, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser as players who moved back to the Premier League following relegation.
Leeds continue midfield search
Leeds United have opened discussions with Norwich City over England Under-21 midfielder Todd Cantwell.
Cantwell, 22, is among the targets being looked at to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s squad before the transfer deadline but it is understood they have other priorities before formalising an offer for him.
The Carrow Road academy graduate was relegated from the Premier League last season and the £15million-rated midfielder has been tipped for a return to the top flight after playing regularly last term and scoring seven goals.
Bielsa would like to add an attacking midfielder to his squad and has also looked at Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul but they have not agreed a fee with the Italian club for the Argentina international.
Bail-out reservations
Talk of Premier League clubs bailing out Championship clubs has raised eyebrows among some top-flight chairmen, as clubs in the second tier have been rejecting offers for players that would boost their incomes.
Said Benrahma, David Raya, Karlan Grant, Ismaila Sarr, Max Aarons and Bright Osayi-Samuel are just a few of the assets that remain at their clubs when thrashing out deals would ease financial pressures and also see money spent on players lower down in the EFL.
Supporters being unable to attend matches due to the coronavirus pandemic has hit EFL clubs’ income and there has been discussions over a £250million rescue package, although Championship clubs have put big prices on the heads of their players and have been firm over selling players despite needing cash.
Salomon Rondon priced out of move
Former Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon has been on the wanted list of Premier League clubs but his lucrative contract in China has made it almost impossible for him to return to England.
The Venezuela forward is an ideal loan signing for the many teams looking for a No9 with top-flight experience, with the 31-year-old hitting double figures when he played at St James’ Park and scoring 28 goals in three seasons with West Brom.
He has been at Dalian Professional for two years and his contract has two seasons to run. Clubs would face a huge outay just to cover his wages for the rest of the campaign.
Igor Julio on clubs' radar
Brazilian centre-back Igor Julio has been tracked by Premier League clubs after impressing for Fiorentina last season.
The 22-year-old could be allowed to leave in a £15million deal. He previously played at Red Bull Salzburg before heading to Italy with SPAL.
