Ex-Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has revealed former Magpies boss Steve Bruce had a deal in place to bring Jarrod Bowen to Tyneside.
Bowen had previously worked under Bruce at Hull City before the latter resigned weeks before the start of the Tigers 2016/17 Premier League campaign.
Since then, the 25-year-old has gone on to become a versatile Premier League starter for West Ham, who he joined in January 2020 for an initial fee of around £18m.
He hit new heights for the Hammers this season, bagging 18 goals in all competitions as David Moyes' side finished the Premier League season with a seventh placed finish - which has catapulted Bowen into Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming June internationals.
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Prior to signing for West Ham, there were plenty of reports linking Bowen to a reunion with Bruce at Newcastle. In truth, had the former made the move from Hull to Newcastle, it would have been a smart acquisition. But during Mike Ashley's tenure at the helm, the Magpies weren't always the most proactive in their transfer dealings.
And Shearer, speaking on the Athletic's 'Pod On The Tyne' podcast revealed Bruce had a deal in place to sign Bowen which Newcastle failed to act upon.
"You mention the England squad being announced, there's a player in the England squad who's been announced today, Jarrod Bowen," said Shearer in response to the Athletic's George Caulkin talking about Bruce's transfer struggles.
"Steve [Bruce] had him. Steve had him ready to come to Newcastle and they didn't do the deal. People obviously don't see or know what's going on behind the scenes but it was a very very tough situation."
