Jarrod Bowen has made a decision about his immediate future amid interest from Premier League clubs in a return to the top flight. Despite being regarded as one of the country’s top forwards, the England winger has been unable to prevent West Ham from being relegated and will be forced to sit out at least a season in the Championship.
Manchester United were one of the most high-profile players to be linked with Bowen, and many thought they could sign him for a bargain price following West Ham’s relegation. But they have already secured £85m from the sale of Matheus Fernandes to Tottenham, leaving Bowen with their most valuable asset. The club today released a video featuring their captain, confirming his desire to stay and help achieve promotion to the Premier League when first approached.
“For me, it was only natural in a situation like this to speak at the right time, and then it’s back to talking about football,” Bowen said.
“I flew to Prague in the Czech Republic to meet Daniel (Krechinski) and Jiri (Svark) and the ambition I got from them is certainly very interesting in terms of the direction the club wants to go. This club means a lot to me so it didn’t take long for me.”
“I did an interview after the[Leeds United]game and said my vision was to get this club back in the Premier League. Sometimes I think it falls on deaf ears and people say, ‘That’s just him saying that.’ Sometimes you have to bite your tongue when you look at it because it’s written and different things are being said.”
“But when I say something, I don’t run away from it. The most important thing for me is to talk to the people at the club about what we want to do moving forward as a club, to get this club back to the Premier League and for the betterment of the club.”
“It was easy for me to come here and the vision was clear: the Premier League.”
Bowen’s comments come alongside a report from The Athletic suggesting the 29-year-old has committed his future to West Ham by signing revised terms.
According to reports, Bowen’s new contract will not extend beyond his existing 2030 end date, but the new deal will ensure the forward remains at the London Stadium this summer.
As a result, a summer move to Manchester has been ruled out, and it remains to be seen how the Reds will proceed with their transfer business for the remainder of the period.
The Red Devils are monitoring Dutch international Chrisencio Somerville after his return from the World Cup and could complete a deal for another West Ham winger this summer.
Roma are one of the clubs chasing the former Leeds forward.
United have made three signings so far this summer, two of them midfielders, with Andrej Santos, Youri Tielemans and goalkeeper Karl Darlow all arriving at Old Trafford.
