West Ham look set to return for Bournemouth striker Josh King in January.

At the end of the last transfer window, King said it has been “the worst two months” of his life and that he hadn’t expected to still be at Bournemouth.

West Ham decided to sign Said Benrahma but King was still on standby on transfer deadline day even travelling to London in case a medical was required.

Earlier they had seen a £13 million bid turned down for him with the Cherries wanting the £18 million they had wanted on deadline day.

Later the striker explained it hadn’t been easy for him mentally telling TV2 in Norway. “There is a lot of writing, a lot of things. I don’t want to comment too much now. But I hope to return, the transfer window is still open, so we’ll see. I want to start playing again and get in good shape, that’s the most important thing.

“A lot of people judge what they see in 90 minutes, but don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.

“Football is fresh. You’re going to find out one day, I guarantee that, but I can’t comment as much now as I am where I am.

King’s contract ends in June 2021 and with less than six months remaining on it, Bournemouth will be forced to let him go at a heavily discounted price.

Of course, King may reject a move in January preferring to wait out six months to become a free signing knowing that with no transfer fee involved he can negotiate better personal terms as a result.

However, if that happens, a six-month loan option might be the next best thing for Bournemouth to claw back some of the fee they had hoped for..

The 28-year-old striker who turns 29 in January five appearances for the Championship club this season, the same number he has played for his native Norway national team.

He has yet to score a goal this season.