Arsenal have reportedly turned their focus towards a budget option, with a £12 million swoop lined up for Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen.
According to The Sun, Arsenal’s search for wide attacking options that fit their budget have led them to the Championship, more precisely Hull City. Jarrod Bowen is reportedly a summer target for Arsenal, who are plotting a £12 million swoop for the Englishman.
Born in Herefordshire, Bowen started his career at Hereford United after having a couple of unsuccessful trials at Aston Villa and Cardiff City respectively. The forward joined Hull City in 2014 but had to wait till the 2016-17 season to receive his senior cap at the club.
The 2018-19 season though, has been one where Bowen has shown tremendous form in front of goal, with a return of 22 goals in 46 games. What is even more impressive is the fact that a large chunk of his goals have come from the right wing, which validates his ability to contribute regularly from a wide position. Arsenal are therefore, interested.
First of all, Arsenal have not had a wide player contribute nearly the same as Bowen has done for Hull, in recent times, apart from Alexis Sanchez. The Gunners currently do not have any natural options on either side of the attack and the ones that were deployed in the position by Unai Emery failed to contribute with as much consistency.
The lack of natural wingers have seen Arsenal prioritise the area in the current transfer window, with Wilfried Zaha emerging as a primary target. But, Crystal Palace seemed to have laughed off the structured £40 million bid, which the Eagles deemed not ideal and not enough to convince them to part ways with the Ivory Coast international.
Unai Emery has to work within the budgetary constraints imposed by the Arsenal Board and is thus, looking at Jarrod Bowen as a potential arrival that can add long-term value to the club while also being a prospect to be involved in the playing eleven straight away, given his current form.
The report says that Hull City are prepared to lower their £15 million valuation of Bowen by £3 million to accommodate Arsenal, if the Gunners do come in with the aforementioned £12 million offer.
A 22-year-old with 20 goals from a wide position in a single season for a price of £12 million is a bargain, if not a steal. Arsenal should go ahead with the offer and fast, lest they fear entry of other clubs which might drive up the price.
