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Tottenham targeting Premier League alternative to Wilfried Zaha

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth and Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur look on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at White Hart Lane on April 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth and Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur look on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at White Hart Lane on April 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham may add Josh King to round out their attack

Wilfried Zaha isn’t the only Premier League attacker that Tottenham have their eye on. Mauricio Pochettino also has added Bournemouth forward Josh King to Spurs’ summer shopping list.

The Cherries’ star has burst onto the scene of England’s top flight with 15 goals on the campaign. It’s not just his offensive prowess that’s caught Pochettino’s attention though. King also helps his club with his stellar work rate when his club are on defense.

Those two things may allow King to move past Zaha on Tottenham’s wish list. While the Crystal Palace winger has more creativity and pace with the ball at his feet, he doesn’t always match that skill with end product. The same criticism can’t be levied against King.

The Norwegian star has propped up Eddie Howe’s attack for most of the season. He has nine more goals than the next closest teammate. For a Tottenham side that’s looking to make sure they don’t become overly reliant on Harry Kane to find the back of the net, that’s a hugely important statistic.

That’s precisely why reports from England claim that Tottenham are considering meeting Bournemouth’s £15 million valuation for King. That transfer fee would also allow Spurs to save considerable funds compared to what it would take to purchase Zaha from Palace. The Eagles are rumoured to want a minimum of £40 million for their offensive talisman.

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In a vacuum, Zaha is certainly the more valuable player. He’s younger than King and as such, has more career growth in front of him. His ability to create opportunities for others would also be immensely valuable for almost any club.

King, however, might be the better fit for what Tottenham need this summer. Pochettino would love to add an attacker who could play in place or alongside Harry Kane. Acquiring King would allow Spurs to give Vincent Janssen another season to develop without immediately purchasing a like-for-like replacement.

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Wilfried Zaha and Ross Barkley will continue to garner the transfer headlines for the foreseeable future, but Josh King may provide Tottenham with another under the radar transfer purchase. Don’t be at all surprised to see Spurs swoop for the Bournemouth star this summer.

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