Newcastle United line up exciting swoop for player who once agreed £20m St James' Park move

Newcastle United are finalising plans for the summer transfer window with two familiar names reportedly on the list of players under consideration.

With the Magpies expected to conclude deals for defensive duo Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly on free transfers from Fulham and AFC Bournemouth, respectively, the focus has turned to bolstering the attacking positions. And according to The Telegraph, West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin have featured in discussions.

United’s interest in Bowen first dates back to January 2020 when he almost joined the club from Hull City. Steve Bruce, who signed the winger for the Tigers from non-league side Hereford, had set up a reunion but the Magpies refused to meet his reported £20million asking price.

Bowen explained: “Deadline day, I had nothing. I thought I was going to Newcastle because Steve Bruce was there - I was looking for houses and everything, I thought it was nailed on. But they said ‘we’re not paying the money’. I was like ‘alright, I’ll just stay at Hull’. The fee was £14million with £6m add-ons. One of them was an England call up but I was like ‘that’ll never happen!’

“I went to training as normal on deadline day and thought I was staying at Hull but I got there the manager said ‘what are you doing here? We’ve accepted a bid from West Ham’. I was like ‘what’. I didn’t even know there was interest.”

It is likely Newcastle would have to pay at least three times that money to sign him this summer. Since joining West Ham, the 27-year-old has scored 60 goals - 20 of which came during the 2023-24 season - in 202 appearances, and established himself as an England international.

Meanwhile, United have long weighed up a move for Calvert-Lewin since Howe took over as head coach in November 2021. But externally, there are concerns over his injury record.

A move for either player could be dependent on Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson leaving the club. Almiron came close to moving to the Saudi Pro League in January while Wilson may also get the opportunity to move to the Middle East.