Many Everton fans have been urging Director of Football Marcel Brands to make a late January bid to sign Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen.
The 23-year-old was one of the stars of the show as the Tigers lost 2-1 at home to Chelsea in the FA Cup Fourth Round on Saturday, with Bowen causing Frank Lampard’s side plenty of problems through his tricky footwork and willingness to try his luck.
Chelsea were often left fouling Bowen in dangerous areas, as he completed four of his eight ground duels, beat opposing players with two of his five dribbles, registered six shots and 21 accurate passes (67%), per Sofa Score data.
Leominster-born Bowen was not afraid to drift around the KCOM Stadium pitch, either, with a large per cent of his 57 touches recorded across Chelsea’s half of the field despite manager Grant McCann tasking him with facing up against Marcos Alonso on the right-flank.
As well as being a leading offensive figure for the Tigers with three crosses, five long balls attempted and a key pass, Bowen offered some defensive support with five interceptions and aided right-back Robbie McKenzie near to the corner flag.
Would you sign Bowen?
Yes
No
Bowen could not score against Chelsea on Saturday with Kamil Grosicki netting Hull’s sole effort, though has struck 16 goals in 28 Championship matches this term for a strike rate of one every 157.5 minutes.
Eleven of his goals have come from the right-wing, while five have come from a central attacking role, with Bowen a versatile offensive weapon in the second-tier.
But his exploits have sparked a wide range of interest, with Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Leeds United all thought to be chasing his signature with his contract at Hull expiring next summer.
The Tigers value Bowen at £28million, though would be open to accepting a £3m loan fee with an obligation to buy in the summer, however they have snubbed a £15m purchase clause dependent on promotion from Leeds.
Here are some of the messages shared from Everton fans keen to see the Blues enter the race late, but secure Bowen’s signature ahead of Friday’s deadline…
Yes. Him and the likes of Ferguson at West Brom and Phillips at Leeds should the types were targeting.
— Paul EFC 86 (@PaulEFC86) January 26, 2020
Yes mate defo
— Joth (@JPD0488) January 25, 2020
Said it about a year ago but left it late now will have many suitors
— BlueOrder (@YerrysBlue) January 26, 2020
He’s better than a squad player. Iwobi isn’t fit to lace this lads boots.
— Tiger Tenno (@TigerTenno) January 25, 2020
Nah we don’t buy players like that anymore….they go to Leicester, become England internationals and are worth 70m. Much rather have Walcott.
— RPW1888 (@rpw1888) January 25, 2020
Is a good choice for this young man.
— Qtoro Blue (@toffees_tiger) January 26, 2020
Young, talented, hungry and no doubt a reasonable wage. Would be a massive improvement on Walcott.
— 𝕘яέ𝐠 ㄥⓐｍⒷđｅⓃ (@Gre9oryPeck) January 25, 2020
Why not. Sell him for a good fee down the line, even if he does have the year extension.
— gary (@gary45105798) January 25, 2020
In other Everton news, fans have been begging Marcel Brands not to sign Carlo Ancelotti’s rumoured £35m primary target.