EXCLUSIVE: Hull make move with Bowen; Leeds open to another striker

Jarrod Bowen TEAMtalk

TEAMtalk understands Hull City have already told star striker Jarrod Bowen that they will be exercising their option to extend his contract.

The 17-goal forward is out of contract in the summer, but the Championship club hold an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, as long as they do that by March.

And per our sources, the Tigers, have already informed the 23-year-old that they will be exercising that option, which will mean he remains under contract with the club until June 2021.

Bowen, one of the Championship’s stand-out performers this season, has been the subject of intense interest in the last 12 months with clubs such as Tottenham reported to be checking on his progress.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is a huge fan of the player, but has baulked at Hull’s £17million asking price and the Magpies have gone on to sign Nabil Bentaleb and Valentino Lazaro, although a new striker is still on Bruce’s radar.

TEAMtalk understands Leeds are also keen on Bowen and in fact tried to take him on an initial loan this month, offering £3million for the privilege – but Hull rejected the offer, insisting they want him to stay.

The Championship promotion contenders have since added RB Leipzig striker Jean-Kevin Augustin on loan until the end of the season, but our sources claim the West Yorkshire club could still add another frontman to their squad this month, despite the Leeds boss’ denials on Monday.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa revealed his delight at signing Augustin and the said Leeds’ January business is done.

“We are not going to add another player. So we’re done.

 

 

“We analysed all the options Victor Orta gave us and all of them were good. Finally it was Augustin who we got,” said Bielsa.

Hull have offered Bowen a lucrative, new contract, but as it stands the Leominster-born attacker is not looking to extend his stay in Yorkshire.

Hull boss Grant McCann has always said the club were in “no rush” to extend Bowen’s deal and that  “Jarrod loves it here”.

However, after last Thursday’s news conference the Daily Mirror claimed Hull were understood to be wary of losing their prized asset on a free and could sell him this month.

McCann though did not say as much publicly at his news conference, ahead of the FA Cup clash with Chelsea.

McCann said: “No bids for Jarrod, nothing has come to me.

“As has been well publicised, a new and improved offer has gone to Jarrod and we’re just waiting to hear back from that.”