Loads of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media to reports by the Northern Echo, claiming the club are ready to cease our pursuit of Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen.
Competing interest from Tottenham Hotspur has convinced Toon executives that we will have little chance of landing the 22-year-old star, currently thriving in the second-tier with 16 goals in 22 games.
Hull are also adamant that they will not lower their £20million asking price despite Bowen’s current contract ending in the summer, as while they hold an option to extend his deal by a further 12-months, there is an expectation that the Tigers will look to sell their 5 ft 8 attacker this winter.
Magpies chiefs had contacted their counterparts at Hull to see if a lower fee would be possible, but received a firm objection. Head coach Steve Bruce has a strained relationship with the Humberside outfit, too, having left in acrimonious circumstances in 2016.
Bowen has featured prominently in Bruce’s January plans since his arrival at St. James’ Park, after watching as the Leominster-born winger broke through the Tigers ranks during his two-year spell in charge at the KCOM Stadium.
Are the club making a mistake not pursuing Bowen?
Yes, pay whatever it takes
No, he doesn't have top-flight experience
Bruce will likely miss out on landing one of his top targets, though, as United will not be drawn into a bidding war with Tottenham expected to lodge an approach having convinced Jose Mourinho of Bowen’s talents.
Bowen has scored 11 of his 16 Championship goals from the right-wing, while notching three as an out-and-out centre-forward and twice as the supporting striker.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Newcastle preparing to cease our interest in Bowen…
Failed to get him over the line typical ashley
— keith rowell ogle (@oglekeith) December 18, 2019
How can’t we afford him? The club is a joke. Penny wise, pound foolish
— Dean Craze (@toonlad9) December 18, 2019
Nothing in the pot now wasted all the money in the summer on Linton… Loan deals order of the day!!
— johnh (@gizbyker1) December 18, 2019
Nufc getting the excuses in early this year. This would usually be the ‘we are working hard to get it over the line’ saga
— Cory Jay Graham (@Coryjgraham) December 18, 2019
Should have bought him in the summer…..but that would have meant decisive action something not associated with Penfold and Co
— Dave Melia (@bodas73) December 18, 2019
Pretty standard from the club if true. Make noise about signings but never ever get first choice. We can afford to buy Joelinton for £40M when untested in the uk but Bowen who is premier league class playing in the championship isn’t worth chasing??
— marco pierre witham (@WithamMarco) December 18, 2019
Could have had Bowen & Rondon for the money we spent on Joelinton.
— chris (@cbil1984) December 18, 2019
Understand Hull wanted 4 quid, we offered 2 +Joelinton, Hull took it as an insult.
— Richard Coulthard (@Rich1570) December 18, 2019
Penny pinching by not buying him in the summer is yet again why we miss out. The club’s recruitment is criminally badly run. Always leaving us short. The defence is apparently expected to score the clubs goals to keep us up.
— Simon (@LittleHenryD) December 18, 2019
So.. #nufc will pay £40m ALLEGEDLY for a gamble on someone never scoring over 8, & not £20m for a much better looking & half price goal scoring gamble..
And people think Joelinton fee legit?? #wakeup #keeptakingyourfreeseats #disgrace @LondonMagpies @MagpieGroupNUFC @nufctrust— Keith (@undercovermag) December 18, 2019
In other Newcastle United news, a Sky Sports pundit has revealed the factor that could determine a Toon star’s future amid links out of St. James’ Park.