EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal, West Ham, Everton in talks for classy, young Fulham centre-back

Ibane Bowat (Google image)

TEAMtalk sources can reveal that Arsenal, West Ham, Everton and Brighton are all in talks with Fulham Under-18 starlet Ibane Bowat.

The classy centre-back, 18, has been a mainstay for Fulham’s Under-18 side for the last two years and helped the young Cottagers win the Premier League South last season.

Bowat penned a two-year scholarship in July 2019, but his progress has been good and he has recently been promoted into Fulham’s Under-23 squad.

The Cottagers are keen to keep the Scotland youth international, and have offered him a professional contract to sign in June.

However, there is plenty of other interest in the youngster and talks with Brighton, Arsenal, West Ham and Everton have all taken place.

Negotiations have been ongoing for the last few weeks as they all bid to take on the 6ft 2in ahead of his deal expiring at Craven Cottage in June.

Competition for Bowat is intense with German side FC Koln also interested, although it is understood an intermediary close to the deal could not agree terms with the Bundesliga outfit.

 

Scott Parker: Fulham looked like a top team today

Scott Parker: Fulham looked like a top team today

Fulham manager Scott Parker claimed his side 'got what they deserved' in the 1-0 win at Anfield against Liverpool and cited the resilience of his players as a key factor.

 

Bowat has made 12 U18 appearances this season and even though he has been called up by Scotland U19s he is still eligible to play for England and France.

He is predominantly a centre-back, but is left footed and can also play as a left-back.


Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…


Lemina confident

Meanwhile, Fulham midfielder Mario Lemina believes they will avoid relegation from the Premier League if they continue to play like they did in their 1-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield.

Lemina netted the winning goal for his side on the stroke of half-time on Sunday to secure a massive three points in the Cottagers’ fight for survival.

They remain in the drop zone by virtue of goal difference but are now level with Brighton on 26 points and are just one point behind Newcastle, although both have a game in hand.

“It depends on us and the way we play the other games,” the 27-year-old told BBC Sport on the subject of staying up. “If we play like that, I think we will.”

READ MORE…