Everton academy star Josh Bowler is set to leave Goodison Park this summer on a temporary deal to the Championship, with Middlesbrough the current favourites to acquire the 20-year-old’s services, according to TEAMtalk.
Former Boro and Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate recently succeeded Tony Pulis in the dugout at the Riverside Stadium, and is understood to be very keen on signing Bowler as he searches for new wide players.
Premier League hopefuls Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday are also believed to be keen on the Queens Park Rangers product, while Hull City boss Grant McCann’s attention to his availability emerged earlier in the week, as he scouts for talents that could move the Tigers closer to the promotion picture.
As Bowler will enter the final twelve months of his Toffees contract on July 1, he is expected to sign a new long-term contract at Goodison Park before he departs on a temporary deal with a second-tier side.
The Chertsey-born 20-year-old is yet to make his first senior Royal Blues appearance, but featured extensively under David Unsworth in the recent junior campaign, as the Toffees’ U23s swept to a Premier League 2 league and cup double, while also making three outings in the EFL Trophy – assisting one goal.
Bowler also scored three times in the Premier League 2, with the £4.25million 2017 arrival from QPR netting winning goals against Brighton & Hove Albion on two occasions, and the sixth in a 6-0 demolition of Tottenham in September.