HARRY ARTER and Eddie Howe are expecting the Premier League's big guns to come calling for hotshot striker Joshua King but hope the Norwegian will be a significant part of an exciting future at Vitality Stadium.

Midfielder Arter watched King bag his 11th goal of the calendar year – and his 10th in 11 top flight matches – against Middlesbrough on Saturday and promptly declared "there is nothing lacking from his game".

Spurred on by the forward's second-minute effort Cherries routed the Teessiders, with Benik Afobe, Marc Pugh and Charlie Daniels also on target on a heady afternoon for Howe's side.

All the talk afterwards, though, was about King and his scoring deeds across the past few months. He has already been linked with a mega money move to West Ham and is sure to have a host of suitors when the transfer window reopens for business this summer.

Arter told the Daily Echo: "The way football is now there will be interest in Josh, because, attributes-wise, there is nothing lacking from his game.

"He is strong and I can’t think of anyone quicker than him. I think if you asked any defender, they would say he was a nightmare to play against when he’s at it – and he’s been at it from the start of 2017.

"I am sure he will have a lot of people interested in him but I would like to think we are a club on the up.

"We are not looking to sell our best players or stand still. We are looking to improve and I am sure Josh will be here next season – he has been unbelievable for us and long may that continue."

Arter has been particularly impressed by the way King – in tandem with strike partner Afobe – has shouldered the burden for scoring his team's goals since Callum Wilson suffered a season-ending injury early in February.

"Josh had to step up to the plate when Callum was ruled out, he is playing higher up the pitch and I think he feels an added responsibility to score goals," said Arter.

"He is working so hard off the ball and he deserves everything he gets when he is on it. For every striker, their role for the team is about more than just scoring goals.

"But scoring gives them confidence and you can see that in Josh and Benik now. If teams in the lower half of the table have strikers like those two, who do score goals, it means they are always in games... and thankfully we have them."

Manager Howe was similarly effusive about King, whose 14 Premier League strikes since the start of the season outstrip the 11 he had managed in league football prior to this campaign.

"I am sure there are people taking notice and writing down his name," said Howe. "I think his form this season, take away his goal record since the turn of the year, has been very good.

"His work-rate, endeavour, and his all-round game have improved a lot. It is great to see him getting the goals I think that all-round improvement has warranted."