Everton Close to Agreeing Deal for QPR's 18-Year-Old Josh Bowler After Coming Back With Offer

​Reports from the ​Daily Mail are claiming that Everton are close to agreeing a fee for Queens Park Rangers' 18-year-old Josh Bowler.

Everton's first offer of £1.5m, rising to £3m with add-ons​​, was reportedly rejected, but now it is understood Bowler has asked to speak with the Goodison Park club.

​​Talks are now said to be ongoing between the two clubs in order to negotiate an agreed fee for the 18-year-old winger.

The Englishman, who can play on either wing, only joined QPR back in 2013, when he was released by Fulham.

Bowler scored six goals in 18 appearances for QPR's under-18s last season, before earning his first professional contract at QPR.

Since then he had been playing in QPR's under-18 and under-23 sides, before he made enough of an impression to earn his first senior appearance, in the 4-0 defeat against Norwich on the final day of last season.

Bowler has also been included in QPR's first team pre-season training camp to Portugal, but his senior career at Loftus Road is now likely to be cut short, after he recently rejected a new three-year deal at the club.

Arsenal were also thought to be interested in Bowler at one point, but it now looks like Everton will beat them to the youngsters' signature.

Ronald Koeman has already been busy this summer, bringing in the likes of Davy Klaassen and Jordan Pickford, but is also known to be a fan of developing young talent.

Over the past season Koeman gave chances to youngsters such as Tom Davies, Mason Holgate and Brendan Galloway, but to name a few.

He has also previously proven that he is willing to purchase young English talent after he signed 19-year-old Ademola Lookman, from Charlton Athletic last January.

Lookman was instantly given a first team chance by Koeman last season, as he made eight appearances in the Premier League in the second half of the Toffees' last campaign. 

As a result if a deal does go through Everton fans shouldn't be surprised to see Bowler given a first team chance next season.