According to various reports, Arsenal and Everton could battle it out to sign QPR’s highly-rated youngster Josh Bowler.

Everton have already seen a bid worth up to £3m rejected, with an initial offer of £1.5m plus add-ons. Queen’s Park Rangers are keen to keep hold of their best youngsters and Bowler made his first-team debut during their Championship defeat on the final day of the season away against Norwich City in a second-half substitute appearance.

Having been released from Fulham in 2013, Bowler moved to Loftus Road and was given his first professional contract in February.

Ian Holloway’s decision to give him his senior debut, albeit as a substitute, could prove pivotal in negotiations over what he decides is best for him next. Still only 18, he has youth on his side and will be keen for regular minutes at a competitive level, which is why it would make sense for him to ignore interest from Premier League clubs, at least for now, and focus on breaking into the QPR first-team properly.

Ryan Sessegnon is a perfect example of a teenager who has broken through at Championship level and if he does decide he wants to leave, he’ll have a range of different sides in the top flight vying for his signature.

Ronald Koeman is eager to develop a mix between talented youngsters and more experienced heads within his current Everton side, evidenced by Ademola Lookman’s lucrative move in January for £11m from Charlton. Tom Davies, Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are just a few of the other talented crop who’ve been given opportunities in the senior side.

That’s something that cannot be said for Arsenal, though. Jeff Reine-Adelaide was formally promoted into the senior squad during pre-season last summer and has barely featured, whilst inconsistent form has seen both Alex Iwobi and Hector Bellerín endure spells from the substitutes bench this term.

The pressure to succeed at a club like Arsenal means it’s unlikely that the Gunners would make a formal offer like Everton have unless the coaching staff felt he could offer something unique going forward at youth level or is good enough to justify a senior chance.