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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle have put a move for Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen on ice after dismissing a £20m move for the attacker.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Magpies are reportedly interested in the 22-year-old forward, but are believed to have parked talks for now.

Bowen scored an impressive 22 goals and recorded four assists in 46 Championship appearances for the Tigers last term, helping them achieve survival whilst also attracting interest from Tottenham as a result.

Steve Bruce is set to be confirmed as the new Newcastle manager as as you'll see from the video below, Mike Ashley is the only one happy about it...

Newcastle have already smashed their club-record transfer fee this summer by parting with £40m to bring Hoffenheim striker Joelinton to St James' Park, and their business doesn't look over yet.

The Magpies have also been linked with a move for Allan Saint-Maximin, but are again being influenced by a £20m price tag that Nice have slapped on the winger - Newcastle are yet to meet the Ligue 1 side's asking price.

Bowen should be prioritised over Saint-Maximin 

Both players look set to cost the same price this summer, but there should be no case for Newcastle choosing Saint-Maximin over Bowen.

The Nice forward is the same age as Bowen, but only managed to net six goals in France's top-flight last term whereas the Hull man enjoyed a far more prolific season with 16 more strikes to his name.

Of course, it's important to acknowledge that Saint Maximin was playing in France's elite tier while Bowen was in England's second tier, but Florian Thauvin's time on Tyneside proves that decent form in Ligue 1 is not necessarily an accurate indicator of Premier League suitability.

Furthermore, Bowen is English. We're all aware of the premium that comes with signing young English players, seen in this summer's window by the Magpies' £50m valuation of Sean Longstaff, Leicester's £90m valuation of Harry Maguire, and Crystal Palace's ability to get £50m for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

If Steve Bruce signs Bowen and is able to make him emulate the form he showcased in the Championship last season, the former Hereford man would surely see his value rise at an exponential rate.

It is an investment worth making over Saint-Maximin, the less prolific of the pair of Newcastle targets in front of goal last season.

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