Aston Villa are launching a £16m bid for Joshua King after failing to land his ex-Bournemouth team-mate Callum Wilson, claims The Daily Telegraph.
Villa out-bid Newcastle for Wilson over the weekend only for Wilson to snub Dean Smith's side in favour of a £20m move to St. James' Park.
Dean Smith is frantically looking to bolster his offensive options ahead of their first game of the new season on September 20 at home to Sheffield United.
Villa are reportedly keen on Liverpool's 20-year-old starlet Rhian Brewster but are also now trying to prise King from Bournemouth.
The Norway international was close to re-signing for Manchester United in January before the Red Devils signed ex-Watford striker Odion Ighalo on loan.
Bournemouth wanted in excess of £25m for King at the start of the year but will reluctantly sanction his sale for a fraction of the price after dropping down to the Championship.
King is capable of playing on the wing and as a centre forward and his versatility will help solve a couple of problem areas in the Villa squad.
The 28-year-old managed just six goals in 26 league appearances in 2019/20, half of his goal return the campaign before.
