Sky Sports pundit Darren Bent has backed Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen to thrive at Newcastle United, amid reported interest from Steve Bruce’s Magpies.
Bent feels Bowen has the ideal mentality to make a move to St. James’ Park a success, as he would not arrive on Tyneside and upset the apple cart that has seen Bruce take the Magpies to 11th in the Premier League standings.
Bowen has recently been linked as a potential January target for the club, as Toon chiefs know landing a young talent such as the Tigers star would be seen as a real coup.
The 22-year-old is also said to be open to moving to United, and has earned attentive glares from Tottenham Hotspur, but would likely be a player we target in the summer rather than during the winter market.
Yet, just being in the conversation of clubs thought to be interested in acquiring the Leominster-born winger has put Bent on alert, and the former Sunderland striker feels Bowen would be the ‘perfect signing’ if we do lodge a formal approach.
“I think he has got the right mentality to fit in at Newcastle,” Bent told Football Insider. “He’ll understand where they are and fit in really well there.
“Like I’ve said before, I love what Newcastle are doing at the minute, I like some of the transfer targets they’re going for – I really like it – and everyone that’s been spoken about seems to fit.
“So long may it continue, as at the minute Steve Bruce is working miracles and what you don’t want is players coming into the club and upsetting it all by not showing the right attitude or mentality. So I think he’ll be the perfect signing.”
Would you back a Bowen pursuit?
Yes, even at £20million
Yes, at around £10million
No, he isn't good enough
Bowen has scored 16 goals in 22 Championship appearances for Hull this term, including braces against Derby County, Middlesbrough, Preston North End and Stoke City, along with his side’s initial equaliser in a 2-2 draw away to Charlton Athletic last Friday.
His efforts have not just put our scouts on alert, though, as it was reported over the weekend that Leicester City are aiming to beat Leeds United to the forward’s signature, and that Bowen could cost around £10million as his current £6,000-per-week contract is up in the summer.
Everton have also been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, who Hull would prefer to sell for no less than £20m if he does leave the KCOM Stadium.
In other Newcastle United news, Bruce is planning for life without a £42k-p/w Toon man.