West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen is reportedly ready to ditch the club and link up with Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United if the Hammers are relegated.
That’s according to TalkSport this evening, who have framed the story as Bowen staying put if West Ham avoid the drop — but the underlying message is pretty clear: if the worst happens, he’s off.
It won’t shock many West Ham fans. Most are already braced for a summer where the club’s best players are picked off if relegation becomes reality. But this is probably the first time it’s been stated quite so bluntly.
TalkSport Claim Raises Eyebrows
In the report, TalkSport’s Alex Crook wrote: “Jarrod Bowen is willing to stay at West Ham as long as they beat the drop.
“The Hammers are facing a grim fight for Premier League survival following last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford which, coupled with Tottenham’s victory at Aston Villa, dropped them back into the bottom three.
“Fan favourite Bowen is sure to be in high demand if the East Enders are relegated to the Championship.
“Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the England ace while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is known to be a long-time admirer.”
Take It With A Pinch Of Salt
Before anyone gets too carried away, it’s worth pointing out that Crook hasn’t exactly been bang on the money with West Ham stories over the past 12 months.
That said, it would be a bold move to go this strong unless he’s had some sort of briefing — either from within the club or from Bowen’s camp.
No fee was mentioned, but given Bowen’s age, it’s fair to assume it would be nowhere near the £70 million valuation from a couple of years ago.
No Surprise If It Happens
David Moyes and Everton are also said to be in the mix, which only adds to the sense that interest is building.
Ultimately, this feels like one of those stories where you can take it however you want.
Bowen is “willing to stay” if West Ham remain in the Premier League — but would leave if they go down.
Which, when you strip it all back, isn’t exactly groundbreaking.
Could tell in his demeaner and the way he played against brentford that his heart was no longer in it. Id say half our squad has been tapped up in the lsst few weeks and they are dreaming of nice state of the art training grounds and playing at a fit for purpose stadium every other week rather than keeping a dead horse from being relegated.
He’ll love it in Scotland. Even further North than Hull. Not sure the rest of the family will be so delighted growing up as toon toddlers.
The way Jarrod’s form has nosedived this season then I’m afraid to say it wouldn’t be such as devastating a loss as I would have thought earlier in the season. However I can’t see his Hammers loving family being too keen on him going elsewhere, especially up north. It’s sad times indeed. Fingers crossed we can get a couple of wins out of the last three games.
It’s no wonder our form as dipped, with all these stories of clubs supposedly after our players, it must be unsettling.