Reports: 'Everton close to deal for Bowler'

Monday, 26 June, 2017 42comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton are getting closer to securing Queens Park Rangers' teenage winger Josh Bowler according to the latest reports.

The Blues have been tracking the 18-year-old as a prime target for David Unsworth's Under-23s set-up but were rebuffed in their attempts to sign him in a £3m deal around the end of this past season.

QPR rejected an offer of £1.5m which would have doubled if certain appearance-related add-ons were triggered because they were keen to keep him at Loftus Road.

Bowler only signed his first professional contract earlier this year but his apparent desire to see a move to Merseyside come to fruition could force the West London side to soften their stance.

Sky Sports and MailOnline are reporting that Everton are now close to a deal to sign Bowler who has one league appearance to his name having made his QPR debut on the final day of the 2016-17 season.  



Reader Comments (42)

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Don Alexander
1 Posted 26/06/2017 at 18:45:30
According to Wiki, he's already an Everton player!
David Barks
2 Posted 26/06/2017 at 18:51:25
Champions League, here we come.
Colin Glassar
3 Posted 26/06/2017 at 18:52:31
And Sandro, Don?
Keith Johnson
4 Posted 26/06/2017 at 18:53:25
Good news on the possible signing. Now we need action for the main team.
Jim Potter
5 Posted 26/06/2017 at 18:55:53
Is that Wikileaks, Don?
Ian Jones
6 Posted 26/06/2017 at 18:59:08
Hope he comes in. Can't wait for the headline if he scores a hat-trick.
Harry Wallace
8 Posted 26/06/2017 at 19:41:28
Does anyone have any info on this guy?
Garry Corgan
9 Posted 26/06/2017 at 20:57:45
Looks like another change in our transfer policy. Clubs like Chelsea and Man City have been snapping up young talent for years. Didn't Chelsea have 40 youngsters out on loan at one point? Would be nice to get in on some of that action.
Paul Newton
10 Posted 26/06/2017 at 21:04:09
This is all very well and I hope he develops into a top player, but when are we going to read about more top drawer (for us) —
acquisitions like Pickford and Klaassen?

That was a great start, but we seem to have slowed down since then — we need to get them in early to be well prepared for next season's early start. Doesn't training restart on 3rd July?

Mike Andrews
11 Posted 26/06/2017 at 21:09:57
That Kante was a wasted effort wasn't he? Eh, Paul.
Dermot Byrne
12 Posted 26/06/2017 at 21:19:16
This is what we pay Walsh for and is the longer game for us. Unsworth will tell these lads the score and some, most, will join the first team.

As for first team now. That will be good too. Just maybe our club knows exactly what it is doing and my prediction is another place up in league and at least a final. This is early days, lads and lasses, but you can see what they are doing.

David Young
13 Posted 26/06/2017 at 21:27:40
#6 – Ian. Bowler Hat-trick. Nice.
Kase Chow
14 Posted 26/06/2017 at 22:18:16
Lookman came in and made an impact.

No reason why this guy can't during the season.

Kunal Desai
15 Posted 26/06/2017 at 22:57:23
Good that the club is mixing the players in the Under-23s with more potential. Bodes well for the future. We still probably need another four first-teamers to add to Pickford and Klaassen.
Sam Hoare
16 Posted 26/06/2017 at 23:19:13
Kase @14 – Lookman has already been playing first team for Charlton for 1.5 years. This guy has only played a few minutes for QPR. I'd expect him to be with the U23s for at least half a season if not more.

It is good that the U23 team is being properly looked after as there is a fair chance that we will have to produce a few gems from the academy if we are to push into top 4.

Colin Glassar
17 Posted 27/06/2017 at 08:29:53
Is anyone Bowled over by his kid?
Ian Burns
18 Posted 27/06/2017 at 09:37:58
Don't forget your coat on the way out, Colin!
James Watts
19 Posted 27/06/2017 at 09:46:30
Excellent, should be done in the next 48 hours. I'm 99.99999% certain.
Rob Dolby
20 Posted 27/06/2017 at 12:11:37
We are just hoovering up potential from other clubs when we should be nurturing our own. Makes a mockery of the academy. How many of the current U23 Champions are going to break into the 1st team?

If he cant get into the QPR team then we shouldn't even be looking at him. We are turning ourselves into a buying club rather than a developing club of youth players which I think is a real backward step.

£3m could be used for a lot better things at the club rather than a kid who isn't going to cut it with us.

Shane Corcoran
21 Posted 27/06/2017 at 12:30:22
Rob, I agree. It doesn't sit well with me.

I know certain posters will point out that it's the way the big/best clubs are run and that's probably true.

I don't have to like it though.

Jim Knightley
22 Posted 27/06/2017 at 12:33:51
Rob – who says he isn't going to cut it? I remember reading a lot of similar comments about Stones, who ended up becoming a first team fixture and then our record sale. Are you unhappy about Holgate too, because we brought him from Barnsley? And at what age do they become our own?

I find the comment oddly one-sided – why can't we buy promising youths, and nuture home grown talents? Why can't we spend on this youth talent and invest in the youth academy and facilities? We don't progress by expecting to pop out Wayne Rooneys – we will progress my making our under 21 set up as good as possible. That will involve nurturing the very talented, buying the very talented, and raising the general standard of our youth set up.

If we are going to bridge the gap, it has to come by investment in youth at younger ages. To follow the Wenger model, to follow the model used by the big clubs – to buy sensibly, to nurture, and to progress those players into the first team.

Chris Williams
23 Posted 27/06/2017 at 12:51:17
Everton agree deal for Onyekuru. Spending next season at Anderlect seemingly.
Jay Wood
24 Posted 27/06/2017 at 13:05:36
I echo Jim's post @22 in answer to Rob's doom-filled post @20.

It's not an 'either/or' situation as Rob tries to paint it – either we develop our own academy players, or we buy youth and potential from other clubs. It's an 'and-and' situation.

We clearly continue to have an excellent, well-structured academy set-up across all ages that the club apparently continues to develop and refine. This is reflected in how well represented Everton players are in major youth international tournaments.

To that we can add our scouting and recruitment of teenage players has yielded very good results in the last 3-4 years: Stones, Galloway, Holgate, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin have all progressed to the first team, not looked out of place and, as Stones has already proven, are worth considerably more than what we paid for them.

David Unsworth spoke recently how he is allowed to recruit specifically for the Under-23 squad. And whilst not all of these kind of transfers will pay off, I for one am impressed at this sea change at Everton which appears a very professional, rather than bumbling Corinthian amateurism, approach which best serves the short- and long-term interests of the club.

Chris Williams
25 Posted 27/06/2017 at 13:12:30
Aren't we also getting rid of the likes of Henen and Tarashaj this window from the development squad?

We need to replace them too, if nobody is coming through the ranks in the age group.

Charlie Lloyd
26 Posted 27/06/2017 at 13:18:31
Jay @ 24

Totally agree with you and not the pessimistic doom merchants that never seem to see a positive.

The change in the running of the club has been seismic in the last 18 months. It had to change of course and it is. It'll take time of course and what's wrong with investing in some decent young talent?

Our scouts can't be expected to attract all top prospects before 16. It's how big clubs have operated for about a decade. Let's not forget that Coleman was a late developer and there are several others who have progressed through recently whether directly or via a previous academy, be it MK Dons or Sheffield Utd.

Alan McGuffog
27 Posted 27/06/2017 at 13:44:08
The lot of them are shite. All of them. Sandro is rubbish. The new stadium is crap. Fancy bloody useless Southall letting that shot from Whiteside beat him in 1985. Broke me tooth on a sweet from the Toffee Lady once. Don't get me going about the dog shit in City Road...
Raymond Fox
28 Posted 27/06/2017 at 14:19:27
I obviously haven't seen the lad, but he must have natural talent to have impressed.

Developing young talent can't be a bad exercise can it, though the problem is giving them a chance in the first team. Koeman is under pressure all the time to produce the best possible result, so is more than likely to go with the most experienced player.

You can argue that, if their good enough they will get their chance. Yes, if they stand out a mile such as Rooney did, its the borderline ones that lose out.

I thought Galloway and Browning did well when Martinez gave them a few games, they seem to have slipped off the radar now somewhat. Galloway did particularly well I thought; Browning got injured at a crucial time for him which has hindered his progress.

Rob Dolby
29 Posted 27/06/2017 at 23:16:56
I didn't mean to sound pessimistic about the massive progress that the club are making under Moshiri.

I would like to see first team signings rather than sweeping up youth players who have a real outside chance of making it.

I hope the lad has a massive future with us, like I do for all new signings; for all I know he could turn out to be the new Rooney and if our academy lacks a £3m winger, then why not?

Or if we need to buy a striker and loan him out straight away, why not? It just doesn't sit right with me.

Phil Walling
30 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:27:49
Just Walsh justifying his ever-growing army of scouts. What Unsy must think about his local charges being kicked out on loan to make way for these so-called 'young stars', I know not – but he'll be next out of the door, you see!
Jack Plant
31 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:34:43
Wasn't Unsworth saying how glad he was to be able to bring talent into the U23s after Donkor, Phil?

Why would any manager not want money spent to improve his team?

Jim Knightley
32 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:41:39
Why the constant stream of negativity? Most of it is not even intelligible! We've spent £50mil on seniors already, this is hardly getting in the way is it?!

And what evidence is that there this is being forced on Unsworth? And more to the point, when would that matter anyway? I can imagine other big managers not signing high potential youngsters for fear of upsetting a youth coach, of which there is zero evidence he is upset. Do you think Walsh and Koeman are working without any knowledge of our present youth structure and personnel?

It is worth noting, for those who forget, that we signed Stones, Holgate and others as youths. They've made it – and others will too.

I think people will always find a desire to complain on these forums, whatever happens. It is exhausting to read and it must be exhausting to live. Why not take the positives, which are obvious, rather than focus on constructed and over-egged fears? If our "home grown" youths are good enough then they will make it – the same will go for the ones we buy.

David Ellis
33 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:43:07
Phil Walling – I'm not going to take the bait... but good effort!
Phil Walling
34 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:45:47
I suspect even Davies will struggle to hold a place in the first team next season. The chances of any more Academy kids breaking through recedes with each signing of lower league 'hopefuls' who, in turn, will struggle to make their mark.

If you don't cost £20M, you are not seen as fit for service in the Premier League these days!

David Barks
35 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:48:47
Phil,

That was completely nonsensical. What does signing youth team players have to do with Davies getting a place in the first team? What are you talking about?

Andrew Ellams
36 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:53:04
Phil, if Davies wants to play for a team where he's a guaranteed pick, week-in & week-out, then he should probably set his sights a little bit lower. He's just about to turn 19, he's top quality but is still learning in a position that is very, very tough at top level.
Steve Ferns
37 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:59:17
I have enjoyed watching the U23s this season. In fact I have paid attention to that age group for some time (18-19-year-olds including Tom Davies, Jonjoe Kenny, Kieran Dowell, Liam Walsh). It has long been perceived that this group was a bit special.

I also like that Everton treat the U23s as they should and anyone over the age of 21 doesn't really play for them, unless it's recovery games for the first team (eg, Mo Besic).

I haven't followed the U18s as closely the last season, and not paid any attention to the U16s. However, results were not good and this seems to be the course of their development. It seems the next crop after our current Champions are lacking.

If this is really the case, and I hope the reality is different to how it looks, then why shouldn't we be improving that side by bringing in a few better players who look capable of playing for the first team in a couple of years?

A coach can only work with a player's natural ability. Therefore, if the U18s are not good enough, why not bring in some better players to continue the conveyor belt artificially?

David Ellis
38 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:59:47
Phil – yes, Davies will struggle to be a first team choice if Klaassen is better. I think they are similar type of player. But if you want to improve the team then that is what you have to do.

I don't get your point.

Steve Ferns
39 Posted 28/06/2017 at 14:07:47
David, I do not believe Davies and Klaassen are the same type of player.

Davies always played deeper for the U23s and the U18s. He is a similar type of player to Schneiderlin for me. He can also do Gueye's role, snapping at players and winning the ball. The difference to Gueye is that Davies is much better in possession of the ball, whilst Gueye has more experience.

I foresee Koeman playing the two holding midfielders next season. We should be playing 60 games next season and, with two positions up for grabs, then Davies should get a lot of games, and Barry will figure as well.

Klaassen will compete for the No 10 slot ahead of them or perhaps, as Koeman showed when playing McCarthy and Davies in the No 10 position, Klaassen will play a bit deeper with the two wide men more narrow and playing more as strikers in a front three. This appeared to be how Koeman wanted to play more often at the end of the season, and so the No 10 was actually an No 8.

It is Barkley's position that it is under threat to Klaassen, though he played right side of the front three more often in the final games.

Steve Ferns
40 Posted 28/06/2017 at 14:21:16
To illustrate the above:

3-4-3

Here, Klaassen would be more likely to be an AM and Davies a DM.

4-5-1

Here Klaassen would again be more likely to be in the AM slot and Davies a DM.

Koeman's 4-3-3 at end of season:

4-3-3

This is what I think Koeman wants to play. Here, Klaassen is perfect as the CM. A lot deeper than the previous AMs, which are more the position of Barkley or Sigurdsson. This position, an old fashioned 8, going box to box, is more up his street.

Barkley is he stays will line up in the right AM role and then there's nothing stopping Sigurdsson coming in and taking the left AM role. What we don't want is Lookman or Calvert Lewin there, if they play they should be further forward and wider, as per the position in a 4-5-1.

Davies, could rival Klaassen for the No 8 role in this 4-3-3, he has the skills, but he is not a natural No 10, whereas Klaassen is not a natural defensive midfielder.

Martin Nicholls
41 Posted 28/06/2017 at 14:21:39
Phil (#34) – if as you speculate, Davies will struggle to hold down a first team place next season, isn't that a good thing? It would surely demonstrate that we must have better players!
Colin Glassar
42 Posted 28/06/2017 at 14:24:04
Phil, it's called competition. Isn't that a good thing that everyone has to be at their best?
Paul Hughes
44 Posted 28/06/2017 at 18:24:04
Has everyone forgotten that we have the Europa League next season? We need at least two 'first team' players for every position. If Klaassen and Davies do play in the same position – great!

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