It has not been the best start to the new campaign for Ronald Koeman’s Everton side, and the number of disgruntled Toffees fans drowning their sorrows in the Transfer Tavern was rising by the day.

However, a plucky 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at the weekend has instilled new hope into our Scouse punters, with optimism and smiles finally returning to the faces of the usually jolly bunch.

Romelu Lukaku loss this summer came as a huge, but expected blow to fans, and reports recently from The Sun that Bournemouth’s Josh King is emerging as a potential target to replace him has got fans in The Tavern excited.

The former Manchester United trainee has impressed with the Cherries since their promotion to the Premier League, and has established himself as a consistent Premier League goal scorer.

He even managed to find the net at Goodison Park on Saturday, and his goal scoring record at the famous old ground could continue if he makes the switch.

If King does make the move, Everton’s potential front-line in January is beginning to look very strong…

ST: Josh King

The Norwegian striker has come on leaps and bounds since signing from Blackburn Rovers in 2015 and has scored 23 goals in 73 Premier League appearances for the Cherries.

An important cog in a dangerous Bournemouth attack, manager Eddie Howe will not want to lose the player, and will demand a sizeable fee if he is to part with his star man.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman was backed in the summer transfer market, and will expect more funds in January, so a move for the 25-year-old is certainly on the cards.

King could be the man to lead the line at Goodison Park for the next five years, and the Dutch manager should certainly consider taking a punt on the player.

ST: Sandro Ramirez

The Spaniard – a summer signing from Malaga – is beginning to settle in and adapt to the English game, and could certainly add goals to his game by January.

It appears clear that Ramirez will never be a prolific striker, but his work-rate and willingness to chase the ball makes him a key member of Everton’s potential January front-line.

With King the goal scorer in the partnership, Sandro is sure to turn into something of a creative force, and could end up forging an extremely dangerous partnership with the Norwegian forward.

CAM: Wayne Rooney

Since his return to his boyhood club in the summer, Rooney has impressed, scoring three times in the league.

The former England captain deserves to be a starter in this Everton side, and playing just behind the front two will allow the 31-year-old a free role, from which he can either sit back and dictate play or join in the attack.

The player has plenty of years left in the Premier League, and despite constant media attention surrounding his personal life off of the pitch, his performances on the pitch have not wavered.

Rooney and King will know each other from their Old Trafford days, and reuniting the pair could prove a shrewd move by the Toffees in January.

It is clear that Romelu Lukaku was not replaced this summer, and Koeman needs to make moves in the January window to add a prolific new man to his squad.

King is the ideal candidate for this role, and it is likely that enquiries for Eddie Howe’s star man will begin to materialise in the build-up to the winter window.

Toffees fans, is King the right man to target in January? Have your say below…