Josh Bowler: Winger rejected Nottingham Forest move as Bournemouth and Fulham tabled bids
Blackpool winger Josh Bowler rejected a deadline-day move to Nottingham Forest, Football Insider understands.
Forest agreed a fee with Blackpool for the 22-year-old on Monday but he opted to stay at Blackpool.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Blackpool rejected bids from several clubs, including Bournemouth and Fulham, for Bowler in the January transfer window.
But the attacker has decided to stay at Bloomfield Road for the rest of the season.
The news came as blow to Steve Cooper’s side, who were highly active on the final day of the window.
Football Insider revealed (31 January) that Forest and Bournemouth were battling to sign Bowler on deadline day.
Bowler has contributed three goals and three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season.
The winger put pen to paper on a one-year contract when he joined Blackpool on a free transfer last June.
The Tangerines hold the option to extend his deal by another 12 months.
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley told the Blackpool Gazette last month that Bowler’s future may “get taken out of our hands”.
Nottingham Forest made significant moves on deadline day with Sam Surridge and Jonathan Panzo arriving in late deals.
They join fellow January signings Keinan Davis, Steve Cook and Richie Laryea at the City Ground.
Steve Cooper’s side are eighth in the Championship table.
They host Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
In other news, an ex-Fifa official has slammed a ‘dangerous’ fan trend as Rotherham-Crewe Alexandra controversy analysed.