Scout Report – Josh Bowler
Everton are ready to step up their interest in QPR starlet Josh Bowler. The Merseyside club are ready to go back in with a second bid for the teenager after their first £3million offer was turned down by the West London club.
Everton’s initial offer for Bowler was believed to be £1.5million plus various add-ons, taking up to the overall figure quoted. Toffees manager Ronald Koeman move quickly to sign 19-year-old Ademola Lookman from League One outfit Charlton Athletic back in January and is looking to bring in more youth players in order to look after Everton’s future.
Bowler made his debut for QPR in their 4-0 loss at Norwich at the end of the season and the club appear determined to keep hold of the player, who they signed in 2013.
History
Born in Chertsey, the 18-year-old was on the books at QPR’s West London rivals Fulham for a number of years, before they decided to let him go. The winger was picked up by QPR back in August 2013 and in February 2017 he signed his first professional contract – an 18-month deal.
Style Of Play
Bowler is comfortable on both flanks and has the skill and control to worry the defenders. The young forward definitely has an eye for goal, though his 21 minutes of Championship football so far have of course not been enough to see how he shapes up against seasoned defenders.
His Future
Bowler, though only 18, is definitely a player who would improve himself but is not someone who can be expected to get straight into a strong Premier League XI and take the league by storm. The fact though that he has huge potential is not lost on the likes of Everton and Arsenal, both of whom have previous experience when it comes to signing young English talent, see that he is one for the future and would like to nail him down before his transfer value becomes too high.
Fittingly for the modern game, the player’s agent will already be thinking of Bowler as a future England player and so getting him into a Premier League team as early as possible could be right on top of their agenda.
