Josh King desperate for dream Man Utd return as Solskjaer lines up second bid after ‘joke’ first transfer offer
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JOSHUA KING is desperate to return to Manchester United as the Red Devils prepare to make a second late swoop for the Bournemouth forward.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally added £55million star Bruno Fernandes to his squad on Thursday but is determined to bring in a goalscorer to cover for the injured Marcus Rashford.
Bournemouth and United are understood to have discussed figures over a potential switch for King, who is rated at £30m.
But the offer United lodged was described as "a joke" by one Bournemouth source in terms of how far below the Cherries' valuation it was.
Norwegian King, 28, came through the ranks at Manchester United and spent four years on the books between 2009 and 2013 before joining Blackburn.
He made just two first-team appearances for the Red Devils - in a League Cup tie in 2009/10 and in a Champions League defeat away at Galatasaray in 2012.
It is understood he has always believed he had unfinished business at Old Trafford.
And while he will not put pressure on Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe to let him move back he sees a potential return as a dream.
Solskjaer suggested his side's business was done for the transfer window in his press conference on Friday morning.
Asked about another signing before the 11pm deadline, he said : “I am not sure. I don’t expect any more business to be done. I don’t think anything is going to happen.
“Sometimes I say something here and something else happens, sometimes I say I am happy with a player and he gets a different message.
“So I don’t want to help or make speculations grow more and more. I expect nothing to happen but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”
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But SunSport understands the Old Trafford club are going to go back in with a second bid for King to test Bournemouth's resolve.
Cherries boss Howe confirmed the interest from Manchester United but insisted he is doing his best to keep hold of the Norway international - although recognised it will be difficult to deny his striker the move.
He said: “It’s a difficult one for me to comment on. I’m not going to deny anything you’ve read but I don’t want to talk too much about it.
“There’s still a day to go. Who knows what’s going to happen between now and the deadline closing?
“Josh is much valued and loved by us and obviously another club has seen how good he is. So, let’s wait and see.
"It is not my call at the end of the day. That is between the chief executive and the owner.
";I know what Manchester United means to Josh."
King, who has three goals this season, has not played since the end of December due to a hamstring problem but is expected to return to action before the end of February.
King, who has 45 league goals since joining on a free from Blackburn in 2015, would find a move back to United difficult to turn down.
But Bournemouth may dig their heels in given it is so late in the transfer window.
Howe added: “He’s a massive part of our team and has been for a long period of time.
"He brings that unique pace and strength that he has, coupled with a really good technical ability and an eye for goal.
“He’s been a massive part of what we’ve done for the last few years here. He can play a number of positions for us, so that versatility is key.
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“We’ve missed him since he’s been out injured, so speaking as the manager, I would be very reluctant to lose a player of that quality. The difficulty from our perspective is how late it is in the window.”
Bournemouth remain on the hunt for loan reinforcements but were likely to finish the window with what they already had.
Things could change if United can prise their old boy King away.
