Aston Villa have been one of the ever-presents amongst the sides suggested to be ‘enticing’ Jarrod Bowen back to the Premier League this summer.
The Villains, after an impressive fourth placed finish, are offering the prospect of Champions League football to new recruits to their cause this summer, with manager Unai Emery a known Bowen admirer.
The Birminghammail.co.uk has found a player in a unique position to pass judgement, having played for both clubs.
Robert Snodgrass, a former West Ham player under Bilic and Pellegrini with a ‘foot in each camp’ , has delivered his own verdict on Bowen’s future next season:
Former Hammer Snodgrass believes Bowen will stay
And it makes encouraging reading for West Ham fans.
“Speaking about Villa target Bowen, Snodgrass said: “I think he did really well last season despite where West Ham finished. He has been the main man and his numbers have been really good for the last three years.
“If I’m Jarrod, I’m staying at West Ham. He is the captain and he is loved there. Signing a longer-term deal would show massive loyalty and togetherness. If they keep him and make the right signings, it shows a massive intent to go straight back up.”
Snodgrass made 43 appearances for Villa and 86 as a Hammer: He certainly knows how to read the room and his comments will engender fresh hope that he’s on the same page as West Ham’s skipper, training ahead of the new season at Rush Green and looking every inch the committed Hammer on the clubs carefully curated ‘Rush Green training’ videos.
The consistent message coming out from West Ham is that the club don’t need to sell – and that core players like Bowen will stay. Only when the window closes in September will West Ham fans truly be able to offer a small sigh of relief that the board was as good as their word.