NEWCASTLE United are rumoured to be preparing a big-money bid for Cherries striker Joshua King.

The Sun claims Magpies boss Rafael Benitez wants to bolster his frontline options with the Norwegian international "top of his targets".

King "could be tempted to leave if the deal is right", according to the tabloid, which goes on to speculate that Newcastle "will put a package together for club and player shortly".

The Sun reports the 26-year-old is rated at £20million and that Everton considered a move before signing Cenk Tosun in January.

King, who has scored four goals in his past 10 appearances, joined Cherries from Blackburn Rovers for a bargain £1million in the summer of 2015.

He enjoyed his best return in a campaign with 16 goals last season, as he helped Cherries record a club-record ninth-place finish in the Premier League.

The former Manchester United youngster was subsequently linked with a move to Tottenham but pledged his future to the Dorset outfit.

King has scored 30 goals for Cherries in nearly three seasons on the south coast.