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Blackpool picked up a great deal to bring Josh Bowler back to the club on transfer deadline day, but we can exclusively reveal that QPR were taking a look at the former Nottingham Forest man.
Under Steve Bruce, we’ve seen Blackpool assemble an impressive squad and they are now widely touted as potential promotion chasers in League One this season.
While our focus is largely on the deadline day deals done in the Championship, it’s worth noting that the Tangerines were able to nab the signature of Josh Bowler from Nottingham Forest.
It was quite the coup for the third tier side, but they almost missed out on the signing altogether after interest from QPR surfaced.
- READ MORE: Neil Warnock explains how close he came to signing ‘unbelievable’ QPR icon at Middlesbrough
Josh Bowler spoke to QPR but chose Blackpool
Thanks to information sourced from our Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey in the wake of deadline day, we can reveal that Blackpool were competing with the Championship outfit for Josh Bowler’s signature.
EFL Analysis understands Bowler spoke with both QPR and Blackpool prior to his move from Nottingham Forest. Obviously he opted for Blackpool in the end, signing on a free transfer from the Premier League outfit.
It is not clear at this stage whether QPR made an actual offer to Bowler or whether Blackpool simply beat their second tier rivals to the punch.
- READ MORE: QPR fans are ‘absolutely buzzing’ with their latest signing, they’ve been crying out for him
What Blackpool can expect from Josh Bowler
Blackpool fans will know all about Josh Bowler, with the right winger having joined the club back in 2021 from the Everton youth system. He would sign for Forest a year later, but returned to Bloomfield Road for the second half of the 2022/2023 campaign for a loan spell.
Interestingly, though, Bowler’s career actually began with QPR, so the 26-year-old was faced with the choice between two former clubs this summer.
In the past he’s scored 12 goals in 71 games for Blackpool, as well as five goals in 39 for Cardiff City, and stints with Hull City, Preston North End, and Luton Town. He’s never actually made an appearance for Nottingham Forest.
Bowler is a proficient dribbler of the ball but his best trick is cutting inside and whipping balls into the box. While he loves a long shot, Blackpool fans will know they’re likely to get more assists than goals out of Bowler this time around.
Discussing his move back to Blackpool, Bowler said: “I’m over the moon to be here and can’t wait to be back.
“The connection I felt to the Club and the supporters during my previous times here is something I have never experienced before. This is a special football club and we need to get it back to where it belongs. I’m so excited to be here and really looking forward to being back in tangerine.”