Transfer Centre

Sheffield United-linked Josh King to leave Fenerbahce in January?

By Carter White | 29 November 2023

Fenerbahce are reportedly open to letting Josh King leave the club in the New Year, with Sheffield United said to be keen on the Norway international.

Fenerbahce are reportedly prepared to let striker Josh King leave the club in the January transfer window, with Sheffield United holding an interest in the player.

The 31-year-old joined the Turkish giants from Championship outfit Watford in the summer of 2022 and has since made 38 appearances, scoring 11 goals.

King has found first-team action a lot harder to come by in the opening months of the 2023-24 campaign, featuring for just 42 minutes in the Turkish Super Lig.

The 62-time Norway international has been a regular starter for the Yellow Canaries in the Europa Conference League, though, bagging a brace in the 2-1 success over Spartak Trnava on October 5.

According to Turkish outlet Milliyet, Fenerbahce are open to offloading King during the upcoming January window, with Sheffield United keen on the player.

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom before the match on November 4, 2023 © Reuters

It is understood that the Blades were on the hunt to secure the services of the forward during the summer, however the newly-promoted club were unable to agree a deal with the Turkish giants.

Bournemouth target man Kieffer Moore was another striking option that Paul Heckingbottom was supposedly keen on bringing to Bramall Lane, but a move for the Welshman did not materialise.

It is believed that United could be back in the race in the New Year for King, who has extensive Premier League experience courtesy of his time at the likes of Bournemouth and Everton.

King's best-ever season in terms of top-flight goalscoring arrived at the Vitality Stadium in 2016-17 under Eddie Howe, with the striker netting 16 strikes in 36 league appearances.

Sheffield United commenced the 2023-24 term with an inexperienced two-man forward line of Will Osula and Benie Traore, and head coach Heckingbottom did not hide the fact that his side needed reinforcements in attack.

Sheffield United's Cameron Archer and Gustavo Hamer celebrate after Everton's Jordan Pickford scores an own goal and Sheffield United's second on September 2, 2023 © Reuters

Cameron Archer arrived in late August from top-flight rivals Aston Villa for £18m, however the Blades boss still wanted an additional recruit on top of the 21-year-old before the window shut.

Heckingbottom has held talks with the club's hierarchy over potential January arrivals, and although a move for a centre-back is a priority due to the injuries to Chris Basham and John Egan, the 46-year-old feels that he needs to bolster his attack.

Oli McBurnie has been struggling with a groin issue in the opening months of the season, whilst ex-Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster is continuing to be plagued by a number of fitness issues.

After featuring for only two minutes off the bench against Fatih Karagumruk on Sunday, King will be aiming for a starting berth when Ismail Kartal's men travel to Nordsjaelland in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.