According to TEAMtalk, Hull City have pipped Derby County to Everton youngster Josh Bowler.
The report claims the talented Toffees ace will join Hull on a season-long loan deal upon completing a medical on Humberside, with the Tigers beating both Derby and Middlesbrough to his signature.
Bowler joined Everton from Queens Park Rangers in 2017 and he is highly rated by the Merseyside club. Everton are seemingly keen for him to get first-team football, and Hull will guarantee him minutes.
Did Derby County miss out on Josh Bowler?
The report, however, doesn’t make too much sense from a Derby perspective. If the Rams wanted the player, surely they would have represented the better option for both club and player.
New Derby manager Phillip Cocu has strong links to Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands. The two worked together at PSV Eindhoven, winning three league titles in five years.
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A major component of Cocu’s success at PSV was his introduction of youth players. Many youngsters flourished in Eindhoven, and that is one of the main reasons Derby sought him as Frank Lampard’s successor.
A recent report in The Times claims Brands wishes to continue his links to Cocu. Derby seemingly have the pick of Everton’s top youngsters, with Kieran Dowell already cited as a done deal.
Bowler, meanwhile, hasn’t been mentioned as a potential option until now. The winger no doubt has talent, but his lack of senior first-team football may be the reason Derby overlooked him.
Cocu enjoyed a winning start to his Derby reign as the Rams defeated US minnows Sarasota 2-0 on Wednesday. Jack Marriott grabbed both goals as his half-time introduction helped Derby up the ante after the break.
Also see: Some Everton fans have their say on Kieran Dowell’s reported move to Derby County.