Championship winger eyed by Everton to be offered new contract – report
By Will Butcher
Everton have suffered a blow in their pursuit of QPR teenager Josh Bowler as the Championship club are set to offer the winger a new contract, according to a report.
West London Sport claim a Toffees bid remains on the table for the 18-year-old, which is said to be worth more than £3million.
However, the report states that Ian Holloway’s side are set to offer the youngster a new contract with only 12 months currently remaining on a deal he signed last summer.
That remains on the table bu the Everton offer would be more lucrative and it is said that the chance of the move going through is “strong”.
QPR’s number 30 has impressed through the ranks at Loftus Road and had caught Holloway’s attention enough to be given his debut against Norwich on May 7, resulting in a 4-0 loss.
Breaking into the R’s side at such a young age is said to have caught the attention of Toffees director of football Steve Walsh, who is known for his ability to sign the next young talent.
Bowler originally moved to QPR from Fulham back in 2013 and Holloway could look to keep the youngster in order to bolster his side’s Championship campaign next season.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is known for his faith in youth and that has seen him hand Tom Davies, Mason Holgate and Dom Calvert-Lewin first-team opportunities this season.
Football Insider verdict:
Bowler has shown in QPR’s youth sides that he has the potential to go very far in English football, and that should convince the Toffees to do all they can to snap the teenage midfielder up. They will now need to move quickly for Bowler with QPR desperate to keep him. However, the Toffees should look to sweeten a deal by sending Bowler immediately back on loan to QPR, should they sign the Englishman. That would see both parties profit, as Bowler would gain first-team football with Holloway’s side, bolstering the QPR midfield while he would be gaining experience and becoming a better player before returning to Goodison Park.
In other Everton transfer news, the Toffees are set to complete their first signing of the summer from a rival Premier League club.
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