- Newcastle United continue to be linked with West Ham star
- Jarrod Bowen supposedly eyes £60m exit
- Reality check on Magpies links
Newcastle United are reported to have made ‘official contact’ with West Ham over a potential summer transfer swoop for Jarrod Bowen.
The England international is expected to find himself at the centre of a transfer storm this summer, regardless of whether Nuno Espirito Santo keeps the Hammers in the Premier League or not.
Bowen has been a stalwart servant at the London Stadium since signing from Hull City in 2020. West Ham paid just £22 million to sign the forward and the player has gone on to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent goalscorers.
Newcastle United claimed to have made’official contact’ over Jarrod Bowen
Widespread reports this week claimed that the Magpies had joined Liverpool and Everton in monitoring a move for Bowen this summer. Eddie Howe’s side look set to be in the market to replace the impetus lost by the inevitable exit of Anthony Gordon.
On Wednesday, the transfer talk linking Newcastle with a move heated up with so-called ‘global transfer expert’ Ekrem Konur claiming that the club had ‘officially made contact’ with the Hammers. There’s no doubt that Bowen would be an exciting addition, but Magpies fans ought not to buy into these rumours yet.
On paper, the arrival of Bowen looks like a trademark Howe transfer. The Newcastle manager has often prioritised ‘safe’ transfers for players with Premier League experience – see Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Nick Pope and Gordon.
Why Bowen transfer feels ‘no-goer’ for Newcastle
However, a new strategy is on the horizon this summer. Speaking about his approach to the window recently, Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson said: “We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer.
“But if an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms and we’re going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club. Going forward, our strategy is to buy well and sell well.”
The key quote here is ‘buy well and sell well’. The Magpies are looking to invest in future stars rather than proven Premier League pros, and bag a pretty profit once they develop on Tyneside.
Newcastle recently beat competition to sign highly-rated 16-year-old winger Johan Martinez from Independiente del Valle in proof of such a move.
Speaking after that move, sporting director Ross Wilson said: “We’re delighted to beat off serious competition from leading clubs across Europe to bring Johan to Newcastle United.
“Identifying and recruiting promising young players is a key part of how we build for the future, and our scouting and recruitment teams have worked diligently to secure Johan’s signature.
“Independiente del Valle have a strong reputation for developing young players and Johan has undoubtedly benefited from that environment.
“He will continue his progress there while we maintain a close connection with his development, and we look forward to welcoming him to Newcastle next year.”
All those words point to a move for a player like Bowen being hugely unlikely for Newcastle. It’s not to say that the Magpies won’t sign any proven Premier League stars – Gordon’s experience will need to be replaced – but £60 million valued Bowen at 29 years old seems a no-goer.
In other news, Jarrod Bowen has already given Newcastle United verdict amid £60m transfer speculation.
