Everton must learn from Jarrod Bowen mistake and consider future move for Championship starlet

Keane Lewis-Potter was highly impressive for Hull in their FA Cup loss to Everton and has a bright future ahead.
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He's lighting up the Premier League on a weekly basis.

And there will be plenty of Everton fans who'll wish that Jarrod Bowen was donning royal blue rather than the claret and blue of West Ham.

The forward has made rapid headway at David Moyes' side. He's another example of the gems available outside the Premier League and top European leagues.

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Bowen was plucked from Hull City and the Hammers' gamble they took in January 2020 has fully paid off.

Indeed, his blistering form has West Ham in contention for a top-four finish this season.

Meanwhile, there are calls for him to earn a breakthrough into the England squad.

Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring for West Ham. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesJarrod Bowen celebrates scoring for West Ham. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring for West Ham. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Previous Bowen links

And Evertonians will lament that Bowen could well have been instead moved to Goodison Park if the rumours were correct.

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He had plundered 22 goals for Hull the previous season as they finished 13th in the Championship.

It had been then-Toffees boss Marco Silva who handed Bowen his debut when in charge on Humberside and a reunion was mooted.

However, Everton would not make a move that summer. Instead, they opted to splash out £35 million on Alex Iwobi, while Moise Kean cost around £25 million.

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Bowen too would not make a move and remained in Yorkshire. He continued his rampant form and scored 17 times in 33 appearances during the first half of the campaign.

By the time January came, West Ham made their move. A fee of up to £25 million sealed Bowen's switch to the Londoners.

The rest, as they say, is history. He's now one of the top flight's premier attackers and has been linked with a move to Liverpool.

If he ever does leave West Ham, it will be for significantly more than what he cost.

Past success

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There will be Everton supporters who rue their side not making a move when first linked. After all, plucking players from the Championship has served the Blues well in the past.

The likes of Tim Cahill, John Stones and Joleen Lescot were all farmed from the lower leagues.

Tim Cahill celebrates scoring for Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesTim Cahill celebrates scoring for Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Tim Cahill celebrates scoring for Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Judging by Everton's transfer business this month, that's a model they're looking to return to.

After years of profligacy, two young talents in Vitaliy Mykolenko, 22, and Nathan Patterson, 20, have arrived from Dynamo Kiev and Rangers respectively.

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The hope is for them to either be regular starters for many years to come or to sell them on for a tidy profit in the future. If either happens, Everton will be satisfied.

Brennan Johnson is one player who has recently been linked with a move to Goodison Park.

The winger has been in flying form for Nottingham Forest this season, scoring five goals in 30 appearances.

Yet Everton got a first-hand look at another flying forward who's been in a similar rich vein of form this season.

Magic Potter

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Keane Lewis-Potter was one of Hull's most impressive performers in their3-2 loss to Everton in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The 20-year-old's long been held in high regard by the Tigers.

Last season, he bagged 15 goals to help Grant McCann's side to the League One title.

And despite Hull sitting 19th in the Championship, Lewis-Potter's still managed six goals and four assists in 26 games.

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Plenty believe he's destined for the top flight. His dazzling display against Everton, in which he hit the post with an effort, underlined why such predictions have been made.

Speaking as part of BBC's coverage, Alan Shearer said Lewis-Potter: "He's really performed well and given them an outlet on that side.

“He came back into the right and shaped as though he was going to go to the right but whips it across the near side of the goalkeeper.

Keane Lewis-Potter in action for Hull City. Picture: Harry Trump/Getty ImagesKeane Lewis-Potter in action for Hull City. Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images
Keane Lewis-Potter in action for Hull City. Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images

"He's been really impressive tonight he has.

"The young boy Lewis-Potter was superb. He was a threat all night."

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As things stand, Lewis-Potter has 18 months remaining on his Hull deal, although the club hold the option of an additional year.

In truth, you'd think it's only a matter of time until a top-flight outfit come in for him. The Athleticreports that there is a “healthy queue of Premier League clubs” all monitoring him.

Meanwhile, Brentford had an £8 million offer rejected during the summer.

Hull would likely expect to net a similar fee for Lewis-Potter as they gained for Bowen two years ago.

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If there were further funds to invest this month, a swoop for Lewis-Potter could prove shrewd for Everton.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Even with the inevitable sale of Lucas Digne - said to be around £25 million - financial pressures may not allow if during this transfer window.

But given his performance against the Toffees, stepping up to the Premier League would be no problem for him either now or in the future.

And in the long term, it could be prove to be a savvy investment.