Why Leeds United should forget about signing Jarrod Bowen in January
Former England international striker Kevin Phillips while speaking to EFL on Quest (published by HITC h/t Hull Daily Mail), has tipped Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United to sign Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen in January.
Having plundered as many as 22 goals in the Championship for the Tigers the last term, the 22-year-old is already threatening to beat his career-best tally, courtesy of a blistering start to the ongoing campaign under new manager Grant McCann.
Bowen was once again on target in the 3-0 victory over Fulham this weekend, as the highly-rated former Halifax Town star scored his fifth league goal in a space of four appearances to take his goal tally for the season to 9, and he certainly looks well on course for another prolific campaign in the second-tier.
Leeds had been linked with a move for Jarrod Bowen last year in December prior to the January window, but nothing really came to fruition (h/t The Mail).
The 22-year-old was the subject of widespread interest from several Premier League clubs in the summer and a move to the top-flight shouldn’t be far away if he continues to fire on all cylinders.
Now, as per Kevin Phillips’ suggestion, the Whites should break the bank to sign the prolific winger in January.
Phillips’ statement certainly makes a lot of sense given that the Whites have lacked a prolific goalscorer ever since Bielsa took charge.
Patrick Bamford’s sudden upturn in form in August was one of the biggest positives from Leeds’ start to the campaign but he has gone completely missing over the past couple of months, failing to find the net in any of his last 10 appearances.
Kemar Roofe’s departure to Anderlecht in the summer prompted the West Yorkshire giants to bring in young striker Eddie Nketiah on loan from Arsenal, and while the loanee has shown strong signs of promise, he doesn’t really look like a player who is capable of gobbling up more than 20 goals in a season to propel Leeds to a promotion-winning campaign.
Tyler Roberts and Jack Harrison have stepped up to produce some really inspiring displays in recent weeks, however, one does get the feeling that someone like Jarrod Bowen, who has been constantly making the headlines with his prolific form for a mid-table side like Hull City over the past twelve months, could have a telling impact at Elland Road.
Bowen’s strike rate of 47 goals in 115 Championship appearances is truly incredible for someone who is not an out-and-out centre-forward by any means.
To that end, he could certainly be a massive upgrade on Leeds’ existing attacking options and a potential swoop for the 22-year-old might go a long way towards securing a much-awaited promotion to the Premier League for the Whites.
However, the finances involved in the deal could well blow Leeds United out of the water, with Hull City currently rating their prized asset at £20million (h/t Express).
Given that the Whites have an obligation to buy Wolves loanee Helder Costa for £15million next summer, it is hard to see how they would be able to go forward with a deal for Jarrod Bowen in January.
Of course, a promotion to the Premier League would change the complete scenario given the riches on offer in the English top-flight, but it would be interesting to see if Leeds United are able to stump up such a massive amount to bring Bowen to the club in January.
Verdict
Despite the fact that everything is possible in the transfer window, Bowen to Elland Road in January doesn’t make a lot of sense.
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They can consider a move in the summer, but Leeds would probably be wise enough to turn their attention to other targets if they are really keen to bolster their attack during the mid-season trading period.