Sheffield United have shown interest in acquiring Nottingham Forest winger Josh Bowler on loan for the season, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, who has told Nottingham Forest News.
The 25-year-old had a loan spell at Championship side Cardiff City last season where he provided seven goal contributions in 38 appearances. Since signing for Forest, back in 2022, Bowler has not featured in a competitive match for the Reds. He has had three loan spells in the last two campaigns, and it looks like he is set for yet another temporary move.
Bowler has been used as a left winger, attacking midfielder, and as a right winger in his career, but his best position is arguably on the right. As a right winger, Bowler has produced 18 goals and eight assists in 93 games – most of them coming in his spells at Blackpool.
Blades linked with Nottingham Forest trio
Bowler isn’t the only Forest man the Blades have been linked with this summer. United have been heavily rumoured to be after out-of-favour midfielder Lewis O’Brien as well as former Reds captain Joe Worrall, a centre-back.
Sheffield United are in need of defensive reinforcements with only Jack Robinson, Auston Trusty and Anel Ahmedhodzic as the senior central defenders. Chris Wilder’s side have recently been credited with interest in Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist, who can play as a central defender or as a right-back.
My view on Sheffield United linked with Josh Bowler
About four years ago I thought Josh Bowler would go on and have a similar career trajectory as Jarrod Bowen had, and so did a few others. Bowler threatened to break out during his time at Blackpool, but since joining Forest it has slowed his career momentum down.
Bowler is certainly a player that screams a Chris Wilder signing – a player looking to rejuvenate his career. Wilder is no stranger to taking on these type of players. He did it in his first spell with the Blades: signing the likes of Mark Duffy and David McGoldrick, whilst later signings like Ravel Morrison and Jack Rodwell didn’t quite work out.
One thing is for certain, Bowler has plenty of time to get his career back on track, and a loan spell with Sheffield United could provide a chance for that to happen.
Bowler is a hard-working, energetic winger, who may not be the flashiest of wide players, but his effective direct dribbling, similar to Ben Brereton-Diaz from last season, is what makes him difficult to come up against.
United have deployed a 4-2-3-1 system in pre-season thus far, so it looks like that is here to stay. But, they do need to bring in some natural wide players – the likes of Liam Millar and Josh Bowler fit the bill of a good presser of the ball too, which is something the Blades have worked on this summer.
