It is well known that Newcastle United missed out on the chance to sign Jarrod Bowen, but now the West Ham forward has gone into detail on just how close he was to moving to Tyneside.
Bowen signed for West Ham in January 2020, costing £20million from Hull City. However, he came very close to joining Newcastle instead that month.
Steve Bruce was the Toon manager at the time, and was very keen to be reunited with the forward who he had worked with at Hull City.
Newcastle were linked with Bowen in the summer of 2019, Bruce’s first window in charge. However, the Magpies signed Allan Saint-Maximin instead.
Bruce then reignited his interest the following transfer window, and appeared to do all he could to get him to sign. The former boss has spoke about trying to sign Bowen, admitting that he ‘had him’ on a recent podcast appearance.
Now the 26-year-old has given his side of the story, and it is a tough read for Toon fans.
Jarrod Bowen thought Newcastle transfer was ‘nailed on’
Bowen has appeared on Behind The Game on the Premier League’s official YouTube channel. He was asked by Ian Wright about his move to West Ham three years ago.
“I thought I was going to Newcastle because Steve Bruce was there,” he said.
“I was looking for houses and everything I thought it was nailed on.
“They said ‘we’re not paying the money’, and I was like ‘alright, I’ll just stay at Hull’.”
The England international then explained how the Tigers accepted an offer for him on deadline day, with Bowen joining West Ham for £20million – £14million up front and £6million in add-ons.
Newcastle interested in Bowen again
It is such a shame that Newcastle missed out three years ago, and sums up the lack of ambition from the Mike Ashley era. Bowen has proven to be a top class Premier League player, and someone who could still be thriving right now at St James’ Park.
That remains a possibility, as Eddie Howe has been linked with a move to bring Bowen to Tyneside. He is a rumoured target heading into the summer transfer window.
A deal for Bowen would give PIF the chance to right one of the wrongs of the Ashley era, whilst also boosting Howe’s squad ahead of what looks likely to be a campaign in the Champions League.
If Newcastle do decide to make a move, he will almost certainly cost more than the £20million he would have cost back in 2020.
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