£22m player becomes Newcastle’s top winger to sign and club staff think they can get him

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Newcastle United’s biggest signing this summer should be a winger, as Eddie Howe plots another marquee arrival.

It has been reported that the Magpies have a transfer budget of £100million, which will go towards a right winger and a right-sided centre-back.

The former has to be Newcastle United‘s priority – especially amid talk that Miguel Almiron could join a club in Saudi Arabia.

The Magpies need someone who can compliment Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, and take Eddie Howe’s attack to the next level. Howe had hoped that Michael Olise would do that, but he has now signed for Bayern Munich.

Newcastle eye West Ham star Jarrod Bowen

That means that Newcastle are taking their attacker search elsewhere, and a new report has detailed who Toon officials see as their number one target at this moment in time.

According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle’s top target in attack is West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen.

When he first emerged as a summer target in May, Newcastle fans were fearful that Bowen would be too expensive. However, that is not how those in power view the 27-year-old.

The Northern Echo add that Toon officials believe they can strike a deal to sign Bowen, and have laughed off suggestions that he will cost £100million.

The report also states that Newcastle think they can convince the England international to join them because they are more likely to compete in Europe on a regular basis compared to West Ham.

Bowen transfer will be really difficult

While that is probably the case, it is going to be extremely difficult to agree a deal with the Hammers. They gave Bowen a huge new contract last year, that has him tied to the London Stadium until 2030.

The price tag is going to be the big issue. Even if he is not going to cost £100million, it feels like it will at least cost a club record fee. That record currently belongs to Alexander Isak, who is Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever at £63million.

West Ham will have no plans to lose Bowen, given how important he is. But for now his future is up in the air, as he continues to represent England at Euro 2024 – alongside Newcastle players Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon.

Newcastle had their chance with Bowen

The frustrating aspect of talk of Bowen arriving is that Newcastle previously had their chance to bring him to St James’ Park and blew it.

It is well documented that Steve Bruce had a deal in place to bring Bowen to Tyneside when he was still at Hull City. However, the club would not sanction the move as Mike Ashley refused to invest what was required to progress.

Instead, Bowen eventually signed for West Ham for £22million, and ever since has proven that Newcastle made a big mistake.

He has been a consistent scorer in claret and blue, and even netted one of their most famous ever goals – the winner in the 2023 Europa Conference League final.

Bowen would be the perfect addition to this Newcastle team, but it remains to be seen if a deal can be done. Toon officials think it can, but you have to imagine those in power at West Ham believe otherwise.