OPINION
It’s fantastic news, which has been long established, that Newcastle United want to sign Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen.
This is one of the premier players in the Championship, a top class operator who could clearly flourish a division above. Plus, at 22 years of age he is still incredibly young and is only going to get better.
However, the Magpies are surely playing with fire after the latest transfer report. The Daily Star claimed on Sunday that Steve Bruce wants to bring the Tigers star in, possibly in January, but is prepared to wait until the summer to make his move.
Bowen is out of contract at the end of the season, but the problem is that Grant McCann’s side have the option to extend the player’s deal for another campaign, while they are trying to tie him down to fresh terms until 2022.
Bruce waiting until the summer could prove to be an expensive mistake for the north east giants, then. In the time between now and the end of the season, Hull could either exercise their one-year extension option or convince Bowen to commit to a new deal. Either way, the Magpies would likely have to pay more than they would if they go for him in January.
What’s the point in waiting, then? It’s not as if Newcastle don’t need more attacking spark during this campaign. They have struggled to score this term, with their defenders leading the way recently.
The statistics show, on the other hand, that Bowen is incredibly free-scoring at second tier level. As per WhoScored.com, the youngster has bagged 10 times in 17 games, to go with two assists.
Meanwhile, he is averaging 3.5 shots, 1,1 key passes and 1.9 successful dribbles per game. Now, doesn’t that sound like someone who would cause havoc alongside Allan Saint-Maximin in the Newcastle attack?
This is a potential signing that Bruce’s side can’t afford to miss out on, which they could do if they delay until the summer and then get priced out of a move. No, they must act in January.
