The emergence of transfer interest from a side offering Champions’ League football used to be ‘a worry’ for fans and management at West Ham United: Now with the club relegated to the second tier it is a flashing warning light which is difficult to ignore.
Which player wouldn’t be tempted to press the ’emergency exit’ button on their Championship future and escape back to the elite of the Premier League?
Especially if, in this case, you happen to be 29 and with the clock ticking on your career after giving six years to east London.
Bowen has a massive admirer in the Premier League – but will Aston Villa put their money where their mouth is?
Several sources today quote Aston Villa’s emerging interest in Jarrod Bowen – which, with the prices mentioned, must come as a serious threat the the Hammers board who seek to retain their captain and talisman for the Championship season up ahead. According to the72.co.uk:
“West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen wanted by Aston Villa this summer”:
..”Aston Villa hold a ‘strong interest’ in the player and their boss Unai Emery is a ‘huge admirer’. However, the report adds they need to sell some individuals first and foremost and his valuation is believed to start around the £50million mark.”
What a conundrum for the new-look West Ham board- if a bid of that magnitude comes in for a player who is 29 and who stands in the club’s accounts at ‘zero’ having been brought in by Moyes six years ago.
Fifty million would surely tempt the West Ham board to do the financially astute thing and break many supporters’ hears in the meantime by releasing Bowen, if he so chooses, to head back to the top tier and star, as he will no doubt, in Aston Villa’s Champions League campaign.
No bid as yet, it must be stressed, but with some very well connected journalists suggesting Emery is a huge Bowen admirer, there may be trouble ahead.