Newcastle United can squash any concerns the club may hold over Allan Saint-Maximin’s attitude by making a move to sign Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen.
The Chronicle understand the Tigers ace is open to the idea of quitting his Championship side to secure a move the North East, despite interest from North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
New Toon boss Steve Bruce is a known admirer of the 22-year-old, and sent the club’s scouting department to cast their judgment over his potential during a recent pre-season friendly with Ligue 1 side SC Amiens.
United’s scouts were also keeping a close eye on how well Amiens right-back Emil Krafth fared against the English second-tier opposition, as we continue our search for players who can rival DeAndre Yedlin for minutes next season.
Bowen, though, is keen to move to Tyneside after entering the final year of his contract at the KCOM Stadium, although Hull hold an option to retain the forward until the summer of 2021.
Newcastle are understood to be juggling our advances for OGC Nice forward Saint-Maximin with discussions on Bowen, with Toon chiefs examining how much it would cost to prise the Leominster-born attacker away from the East Yorkshire outfit.
Arsenal had approached the Championship squad earlier in the summer to sound out a move and suggested a fee in the region of £12million, but Hull’s response is not known and the Gunners have not returned to the KCOM with a concrete offer.
If Newcastle are at all concerned about Saint-Maximin’s attitude given Nice boss Patrick Vieira is open to losing the talented 22-year-old after what he saw from him last season, seeing how much it would cost to acquire Bowen would be a wise move by the board while they wait for Les Aiglons’ response.
Nice are believed to want as much €20million (£17.9m) for Saint-Maximin after rejecting our £14million opening bid, and could rebuff our improved approach thought to be in the region of €18million (£16.1m), according to RMC Sport (July 26, 17:14).
As Bowen scored 22 goals in 46 games across all competitions last season – 20 of which came from the right-wing – he could be a sound answer to replacing Ayoze Perez, and providing Bruce with a goal threat from the flank that will support club-record signing Joelinton.