According to reports in The Sun, via HITC, West Ham United are said to be lining up a swoop on Premier League rivals Bournemouth for impressive forward Josh King.

The 25-year-old is enjoying his best-ever season at this level after scoring 11 goals in 28 top flight appearances – form which is starting to attract the interest of other managers.

Irons boss Slaven Bilic had the chance to see the attacker at his best – and not so best – when the Hammers were beaten 3-2 by the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium earlier this month – King took the match ball home as he scored a hat-trick, but missed a penalty too.

However, that was just a blip in a fine performance, and the Norway international has stepped up to the goalscoring plate for the south coast outfit following another serious injury suffered by striker Callum Wilson.

Usually playing just behind the striker or out wide, King’s stats for the season are certainly impressive.

His 11 goals in the Premier League have come from 36 shots at goal, which shows that the forward isn’t afraid to have a shot, and also doesn’t have a bad conversion rate considering he has never been a prolific player.

The 25-year-old has also shown he is a creator for Eddie Howe’s side too though, providing two assists for his teammates as well as 17 key passes.

King’s ability to run at defenders and cause them problems is probably one of the reasons he usually starts on the wing or in a less advanced role than the striker, and that is shown by the fact that he has completed 63 take-ons this term – something that West Ham have perhaps been missing in recent months following the departure of Dimitri Payet.

His 80% pass accuracy isn’t too shabby either for a forward, and it is no wonder that Bilic has been impressed with what he has seen.

While it wouldn’t be guaranteed that King could solve West Ham’s striker woes, he could certainly add goals and another dimension to the attack they have right now – if Bournemouth are willing to let him leave, that is.

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The belief of Newcastle United fans that they will be back in the Premier League next season is growing by the day.

On Wednesday night, Rafael Benitez’s side edged closer to automatic promotion with a 1-0 victory over Burton Albion at St James’ Park.

The Magpies sit at the top of the Championship table, one point above Brighton and 10 adrift of the playoffs with six games left to play.

Snatching all three points against Burton extended Newcastle’s unbeaten league run to three games, and the match did not go by without controversy.

The North-East outfit were given a penalty half an hour into the game after Dwight Gayle was fouled in the box, and Matt Ritchie converted from the spot.

The goal was disallowed by referee Keith Stroud due to Gayle encroaching in the penalty area, and an indirect free kick was given to Burton as a result.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) released a statement admitting after the match that the referee got it wrong and Ritchie should have been allowed to retake the penalty.

Luckily for the match officials, the decision was not too detrimental for the Magpies as Ritchie later scored to give the team a victory.

After the full whistle, fans tweeted their joy at the result.

Newcastle United secured an instant return to the Premier League following their 4-1 win against Preston North End at St James’ Park on Monday night.

The Magpies had suffered a disappointing relegation to the Championship less than a year ago, but Rafa Benitez’s side have bounced straight back following an impressive season in England’s second tier and they will compete among the elite again next term.

A brace from Ayoze Perez and further goals from Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie were enough to send St James’ Park into raptures and see off Simon Grayson’s men, and the fans can once again look forward to hosting the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in the 2017/18 season.

Newcastle supporters were quick to have their say on promotion via social media, and they were understandably delighted to be back in the top flight.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction to their return to the Premier League…

The Man City fans want their side to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer, but perhaps they should consider the implications of any deal for the striker…

On the surface, it is a deal that makes a lot of sense. M’Bappe is one of the most highly sought-after players in Europe, and has impressed this season – but that is just about where the positive implications of any potential deal will end.

Firstly, let us consider the cost. A whopping £110 million, according to the Sun, has been touted for any potential move – eclipsing the world record transfer fee currently held by Paul Pogba. His form this season has certainly suggested that he is worth a pretty penny, but over £100 million? For an 18-year-old striker? That is certainly a tough price to justify.

Of course, he has been on fire in recent weeks, but he has yet to reach the levels of a player like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, and so Man City would be wise to hold fire on any potential deal. Further to that, the breadth of clubs interested may well see that price rise even more – and that should send warning signs towards Pep Guardiola.

You also have to consider whether Man City really need him. They already have the trio of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Kelechi Iheanacho – arguably the most impressive attacking line in the Premier League. They have an excellent balance of experience, young talent and solidity in that trio – and M’Bappe would do very little to improve that line. You could argue that he is the replacement for Aguero, but where would that place Jesus in the standings?

In truth, it is a deal that makes little sense for all involved. A club like Man Utd, who have also been linked, would make far more sense for the Frenchman. There, he would come in and immediately be number one choice – potentially even bringing the best of Paul Pogba. For Man City, though, it may be best to steer clear.

Man City fans – thoughts?

Let us know below!

Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has undergone hernia surgery, according to the Sun. 

What’s the word?

The 23-year-old, who has proved so influential to the club’s return to the Premier League this season has reportedly been playing through the pain barrier for the last four months, in an attempt to get the Toon Army over the line.

Rafa Benitez is understood to have wanted to keep the ailment under wraps, with only the club’s medical staff thought to have been aware.

Upon Newcastle’s promotion, the former Nottingham Forest defender is said to have visited a medical expert following the recent win over Preston North End, Lascelles’ 47th game of the promotion-winning campaign.

The specialist is believed to have been shocked he had been playing for so long without an operation, one he is reported to have undergone yesterday.

How long will he be out?

Well, the report claims the Magpies’ skipper will be ready for the start of next season. Having operated as the club’s first-choice central defender for swathes of the season – despite some dips in form – having him back fully fit will be a huge boost to Benitez’s cause.

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta will leave the club at the end of the season after nine-years at The Etihad, the club have confirmed.

What’s the word?

The Sky Blues have confirmed what has long thought would be the case, that club stalwart and fan favourite Zabaleta will not have his contract extended beyond this year and will be leaving come the close of the season, with Tuesday night’s clash against West Brom his last home appearance.

The Argentine, has made well over 300 appearances in a Manchester City shirt since his move from Espanyol back in 2008, the same summer the club was taken over by Sheikh Mansour.

With his future confirmed, it is now a guessing game of where the 32-year-old will be playing his football come the start of the 2017/18 season.

Most reports point confidently towards a deal with West Ham over the summer months, with Slaven Bilic needing to get his business right in order to improve on a poor first season at London Stadium.

A good deal?

It would seem so. West Ham’s failings this season have largely stemmed from the start and their woeful work in the summer window leading up to the season.

Having made a total of 13 signings before the window closed, there was an obvious dearth of experienced Premier League talent added to the squad, which has proven to be costly in the months since.

Despite Zabaleta’s age it is rare that the opportunity to sign a two-time Premier League title winner on a free transfer comes along and, given the Hammers’ troubles in the right-back department over the past couple of seasons, it seems a deal too good to pass upon.

According to reports in Turin-based newpaper La Stampa, via Calciomercato, Juventus have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the race to sign Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Brazil international has already hinted that he could leave the Bundesliga champions at the end of the season and he is said to be attracting interest from the Premier League duo.

However, Juve are understood to have already launched a €25m (approximately £21.7m) offer for the 26-year-old’s services and their relationship with Bayern could make them the frontrunners.

Why’s that?

The two clubs have done lots of business in recent seasons with Arturo Vidal moving from Juventus to Bayern in the summer of 2015, before Kingsley Coman followed him just a few months later.

Then last summer Mehdi Benatia went in the opposite direction on loan and has recently made his move to the newly-crowned Serie A champions permanent.

Why would Spurs want him?

Well, despite suffering from hamstring and knee injuries during the current season that have meant that he has struggled to hold down a regular spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line-up, the winger has still scored seven goals and provided a further nine assists in 34 appearances in all competitions.

As he usually plays on the left, but is able to play on the right too, he would certainly boost Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking options with Moussa Sissoko especially failing to impress following his £30m move from Newcastle United last summer.

His pace and dribbling ability could be key to helping Tottenham once again compete for the Premier League title next term, as well as progressing further in the Champions League.

Do they still stand a chance?

Of course they do.

Even though Juventus have a good relationship with Bayern and have launched an offer for the forward, there is no doubt that Tottenham can offer more than the current £21.7m bid, and they would also guarantee him regular first team football and Champions League football too.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, Costa is certainly the calibre of player Spurs should be looking to sign this summer in order to strengthen their squad and they shouldn’t be put off by the interest from Juventus.

The north London club has established itself as a top team now and they must show they have the ambition to move to the next level.

Newcastle won the Sky Bet Championship and were rewarded with promotion to the Premier League which unlocked millions in funds for the club to spend on transfers, new contracts for current players and all-round improvements for the Magpies.

Once upon a time Newcastle held the world record transfer fee for a player purchase, but since that deal (no clues just yet!) they have never really set the world stage alight when it comes to spending big on transfers.

Newcastle have already signed Christian Atsu on a permanent deal following a successful season-long-loan from Chelsea this season, and manager Rafael Benitez will be aiming to bring in extra fire power as well as the Ghanaian in their bid for Premier League survival next season.

They may break their transfer record this summer, but can you name the top 10 most expensive transfers in the north east side’s history?

Give our quiz a go and see how much you know about Newcastle’s transfer history.

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As reported by The Daily Mirror, West Ham United are set to make an ambitious move for Bayer Leverkusen star Javier Hernandez.

What’s the word?

It’s no secret that the Hammers need an elite striker to lead the line next season after their woes in attack last term, preferable one who has a proven track record of scoring at the highest level.

Step forward Mexico international Javier Hernandez. The Mirror reckon that West Ham are interested in activating a £13m release clause in his contract to bring him back to the English Premier League, two years after he left Manchester United.

The paper say that the Irons have scouted him extensively at this year’s Confederations Cup and on the back of that are ready to commit to the deal.

The hero West Ham need?

While things didn’t quite pan out how he’d like at Man United, the fact remains that Hernandez is still an elite goalscorer, capable of performing in the English top-flight.

Since he left Old Trafford on a permanent basis he has scored 39 goals in 76 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen which is a healthy return. When you consider he’s also scored 48 goals in 94 international caps, there’s enough evidence to suggest he would also bang in the goals for the Irons should they sign him.

They need a poacher, an instinctive goalscorer to stick away chances on a consistent basis and Hernandez appears to tick all the boxes should they be able to get the deal done.

According to an interview on arsenal.com, striker Olivier Giroud has hinted that he would like to stay with the Gunners despite the imminent arrival of Alexandre Lacazette and interest from West Ham United and Everton.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Sunday Times reported last weekend that Everton had joined West Ham United in the race to sign the £20m-rated Frenchman, who scored 16 goals last season, who was expected to leave Arsenal when they completed the signing of Alexandre Lacazette – a move which is imminent.

The 30-year-old grew frustrated with his lack of first team opportunities last season with Alexis Sanchez often preferred up top, and it was thought that the arrival of his France international teammate would only hamper those chances even more and that he would look to move on for more regular playing time.

However, Giroud’s latest comments on the weekly podcast have suggested that he could yet stay at the Emirates for at least another year.

What did he say?

He told the club’s official podcast: “That’s why I want to carry on my good journey at Arsenal and I always want to give my best.

“I would love to win another title, or maybe more until the end of my contract.

“The motivation is here, always doing your best to make your family proud.”

Those comments certainly aren’t ones that would suggest Giroud is on his way out of the club in the coming weeks, with his current deal due to expire in 2019.

How did Giroud do last season?

Despite not being a regular starter, the 30-year-old still made a huge impact for the Gunners – especially from the substitutes’ bench.

The centre-forward scored his 16 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, while he also provided a further seven assists.

Could he still leave the club?

Of course, circumstances can change quickly and if Lacazette joins and Alexis Sanchez stays, then it is hard to see Giroud getting too much of a look in next season – especially with the likes of Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott able to play up top too.

With the 2018 World Cup just a year away, regular playing time could be vital to the 30-year-old keeping his spot in the France side and therefore a move to Everton or West Ham could still happen.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, despite the comments it is difficult to see much of an Arsenal future for Giroud next season, and a move away still looks to be more likely than him staying at the Emirates.

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