Josh King's Man Utd transfer suffers setback as club continue loan signing search

Manchester United are unlikely to sign striker Josh King after failing to agree terms with Bournemouth - but the club are still searching to bring in a loan signing.

United initially wanted to secure their former striker King on a loan deal, although Bournemouth are understood to have wanted a straight sale.

The two clubs were unable to agree on a fee for a potential sale, which has left the move in limbo, with sources close to the deal suggesting it is now unlikely to happen.

Marcus Rashford’s double stress fracture to the back has left United short on goals, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identifying King as the ideal player to fill the void.

But despite discussions throughout deadline day, the two clubs have been unable to cone to a compromise over the terms of a deal for the 28-year-old.

United view the lack of big deals overall in this month’s window as proof of how tough it is to sign players in January, with clubs reluctant to lose their best talent.

Solskjaer said on Friday that he does not expect Manchester United to do any deadline-day business after wrapping up a deal for Bruno Fernandes.

While there is an important Premier League clash at home to Wolves to prepare for, the immediate focus for those connected to the club is on Friday evening's transfer deadline.

Fernandes completed his long-awaited switch from Sporting Lisbon on Thursday and Solskjaer has been open about his desire to bolster his squad with a striker.

The summer exits of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku left United light, with Rashford's back injury heightening the need to get in an attacker in January.

King, who played for the club's reserves under Solskjaer, has been linked with a move and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe did not rule out an exit, but the United boss is not expecting any arrivals.

"I don't think we'll do any more business, no," Solskjaer said. "I don't think so."

Put to the Norwegian that he had said on Wednesday evening that he wanted someone that would be willing to get hurt to score, he said: "Anthony (Martial) and Marcus can break their nose as well.

"As I've said, January has always been difficult and it's not just something you do like that."

Solskjaer might not expect any more incoming business, but the United boss was reminded that he has this month said Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo were unlikely to leave before subsequently departing.

"Sometimes I say something here and something else happens," Solskjaer said.

"Sometimes I say I am happy with a player and he gets a different message so I don't want to help or make speculations grow more and more today.

"I expect nothing to happen but that doesn't mean it can't happen."