STEVE BRUCE has given Hull City’s exciting forward Jarrod Bowen a glowing reference to Newcastle United’s recruitment team as the battle for his signature hots up.

The Magpies are confident of following up the arrival of record buy striker Joelinton with more new recruits before the transfer window closes, and they have been informed Nice’s Allan Saint-Maximim is keen to move to Tyneside.

While Maximim, who has been included in the Nice squad to face Cardiff City this weekend, is the player who appears closest to joining Newcastle provided an agreement can be reached over the £20m being demanded by the French club.

Nice have effectively accepted he will leave if Newcastle match their asking price, but that has not stopped Bruce from suggesting he would be interested in being reunited with Bowen.

The 22-year-old Hull winger, who can also play through the middle, has been the subject of interest from a host of clubs this summer, including Arsenal. The Gunners had been expected to strike a deal for just over £12m but that has not materialised.

Now Newcastle, following the appointment of Bruce, are considering an attempt to buy him having been the manager in charge of the Tigers when they bought him from Hereford five years ago.

Bowen scored 22 goals last season in the Championship and Newcastle feel he is a player with the potential to improve and become a big hit on the Premier League stage.

Newcastle are known to be close to announcing Chelsea’s 21-year-old Kyle Scott on a two-year deal which will be a free transfer. Initially, though, the USA Under-20s international would only be competing for an Under-23s spot in midfield.

Bruce, who will take charge of his first game as Newcastle boss in England at Preston on Saturday, is keen to see more signings through the door before Newcastle open the Premier League campaign against Arsenal.

Newcastle continue to talk with Nice to try to come up with a solution over the fee they will have to pay for Maximim, with 22-year-old already believed to be satisfied with what would be on offer for him at St James’ Park.