By Hughie Southon

West Ham are working hard to ensure they will be seen as an elite Premier League club by signing Jarrod Bowen to a new deal over the next few weeks or months.

Bowen shares Trent-Alexander agents
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Such has been the club’s rise this season, plus their third season in Europe, that we are finally being seen as a club to be truly reckoned with. Bowen can confirm that by putting pen to paper!

Talks are continuing on a regular basis between his agents and the board with little escaping into the public arena which, on something as important as this, is exactly as it should be.

The club has hinted that they remain hopeful of an agreement but the No 20’s agents PLG will be playing a tough game as they did before the player signed for us.

PLG also have Trent Alexander-Arnold in their stable which will of course raise speculation about the Hammers star and Liverpool although we are assured there has been no contact between the clubs.

However, Hammers fans will be encouraged by the arrival of Mo Kudus to the club given that he looks a natural successor to Jarrod should the worst comes to the worst.

The former Ajax man has been impressive on his appearances for the club thus far and once he has settled is set to become a very big player for us.

However, the Hammers board are as determined as they dare be that they can keep Bowen at the London Stadium although it will take on the of the top four to be able to prise him away.

Although regularly mentioned as a Liverpool target, sources at Anfield claim the player only remains an option for Jurgen Klopp rather than a top target.