Everton beat Fulham to last-minute transfer of Bournemouth ace Josh King

EVERTON have beaten Fulham to the last-minute signature of Josh King.

The Cottagers put in an offer for the Bournemouth striker after owner Shahid Khan made money available at the 11th hour.

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Everton have secured Joshua King until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

King, 29, is out of contract in the summer and the Cherries wereeager to get a fee.

However, the Cottagers have missed out on the Norway international after Everton agreed to take on the player until the end of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti has already allowed Cenk Tosun to return to Turkey with Besiktas.

And King would provide competition up front at Goodison Park, as well as on the wings.

Should he accept Everton’s offer, Fulham could be left empty-handed by the 11pm deadline.

Former Sunderland kid Josh Maja is still expected to complete his loan from Bordeaux this evening.

But Scott Parker will still lack the experienced hitman he desired for Fulham’s relegation battle.

It could also end any chance of Aboubakar Kamara joining Middlesbrough on loan until the summer.

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King has netted 53 times for Bournemouth in 184 games, including five seasons in the top flight.

In the 2016-17 season, no Premier League player outside of the top seven scored more goals than King.

And Fulham have been struggling to score so far this season, a problem which has left them in deep trouble after 20 games.

The Cottagers have scored just 17 goals in the league, with only Burnley and Sheffield United netting fewer times.

Bobby Decordova-Reid is the only Fulham player to net more than three goals so far this season, hitting the net seven times.

Fulham are seven points from safety following Brighton’s 1-0 win over Spurs on Sunday evening.

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