Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
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WEST HAM are locked in a £16million transfer tussle with Crystal Palace and Newcastle for Hull forward Jarrod Bowen.
The 23-year-old fits the profile of player David Moyes wants and is the third highest scorer in the Championship with 16 goals.
Newcastle are also interested, with Magpies boss Steve Bruce – who took Bowen to Hull in 2014 – eyeing a reunion.
Palace fear Bowen could move elsewhere, but have landed another Championship star i n Nathan Ferguson, who has joined from West Brom for £10m.
And Roy Hodgson says the Eagles are signing a complete full-back who can get straight into his team.
The England Under-20 international, who can play on either flank, completed his transfer yesterday for a fee which could rise with add-ons. Palace boss Hodgson said: “Anyone we bring in will be challenging for a starting spot. There is no point bringing in people just to swell the numbers.
“Nathan Ferguson has all the qualities and attributes.
“We have watched him for a long period of time, all our scouts, with director of football Doug Freedman coordinating that.
“We see him at his age and size as a really good full-back, able to play on both sides. He is good on the ball, comfortable going forward, and joining in attacks. But he is also someone who defends.”
Palace have put the block on Patrick van Aanholt’s prospective move to PSV Eindhoven and will not be pursuing Portuguese midfielder Yannick Carrasco from Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.
The Eagles also want to keep striker Christian Benteke because loan signing Cenk Tosun has a hamstring injury and cannot play against parent-club Everton next Saturday anyway.