Hull City lower asking price for Newcastle United target – striker also wanted by Aston Villa & Leeds United

The Gazette understands the 17-goal frontman is available for around £18million this window, with the Tigers previously asking for around £22million for their prize asset.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is a massive fan of the player, having originally signed him from Hereford United during his time on Humberside.

United, with a whole host of Premier League clubs, were put off by Hull’s asking price last summer and while interest has been high for Bowen in the January window, the club have received just one formal bid for the player, from Leeds United, which fell well below the club’s valuation.

Bowen, also eyed by Aston Villa, is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League, with Bruce’s United his preferred destination.

The player is out of contract this summer but Hull have a contractual right to extend his deal by a further year, provided they exercise the option within the next two months.

Whether United bite on a move for a striker before the closure of the winter window at 11pm on Friday remains up in the air.

Bruce is prioritising left-back cover in the final few days of January, following season-ending injuries to Jetro Willems and Paul Dummett.

Money is understood to be available should the ‘right player’ crop up, while takeover talk is not thought to be having an impact on Bruce’s plans in the final few days.

United have already signed Nabil Bentaleb and Valentino Lazaro on loan to buy deals this month.

Newcastle United defender Kell Watts has joined Mansfield Town on loan – with his versatility a key factor in his signing.

The 20-year-old has linked up with Graham Coughlan's side and will remain at Field Mill for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign.

Watts - an England under-19 international - spent the first half of the season on loan at Stevenage before a knee injury in November cut short his loan spell.

Coughlan said: “Kelland is a player who can play in numerous positions. He can play centre-half in a two or a three, he can sit in front [of the defence] or he can go in at left-back.

“He is technically very good. He’s big, strong and suits the division. I would say his best position is centre-half, but if he needs to, he’s comfortable in front of the back four.

“He knows what the division is about and he’s young, fit and hungry.”