---
title: "Celtic: Alex McLeish urges Hoops to sign Josh King"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-alex-mcleish-urges-hoops-to-sign-josh-king/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-04-09T17:20:25Z"
modified: "2021-04-09T17:20:25Z"
---

# Celtic: Alex McLeish urges Hoops to sign Josh King

**Alex McLeish has urged Celtic to land Everton striker Josh King this summer.**

The Hoops have been [linked](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6927564/howe-celtic-transfer-king-edouard/) with a move for the Norwegian forward should Eddie Howe take over as their new manager ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

\[freshpress-poll id=”352321″\]

### King set for Everton exit

The 29-year-old made the move to Merseyside on a short-term deal back in January, but he [looks set to depart Goodison Park](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-ancelotti-makes-up-mind-on-everton-triggering-king-signing-option/) at the end of the season.

King, who [recorded a quicker top speed than Marcus Rashford last season](https://www.premierleague.com/news/1650796), is thought to be on [£45,000-a-week](https://salarysport.com/football/player/joshua-king/) with the Toffees.

Talking exclusively to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-told-to-sign-exit-bound-premier-league-forward-with-same-top-speed-as-traore-pundit/), McLeish urged Celtic to land the Norway striker, labelling him as a potential ‘tremendous addition’.

> “If Josh has still got his speed, then yes. He is a higher level player than the Scottish Premier League.
>
> “We’ve said that about some other players and they haven’t quite worked out in the Scottish Premiership for one reason or another.
>
> “However, Josh is quick and he knows his way around the penalty boxes. If he still retains that speed, still has that speed, then yes, it would be a tremendous addition to Celtic’s frontline.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”350784″\]

### Transfer Tavern take

We’re with McLeish in believing that King could be a ‘tremendous addition’ to Celtic’s attacking ranks, especially with [Odsonne Edouard pushing for a Parkhead exit](https://www.footballinsider247.com/edouard-wants-out-regardless-of-new-celtic-manager-appointment/).

Should Howe arrive in Glasgow, the Norwegian could then become the ideal replacement for the France under-21 international. King has scored [48](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/leistungsdaten/spieler/91059) goals in the Premier League, has more than [50](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/leistungsdaten/spieler/91059) international caps under his belt and won’t turn 30 until 2022.

A free transfer could be just what Celtic need.

***In other news: Celtic could release one player this summer, find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-hoops-could-release-griffiths/).***