“West Ham dig in over move” | Backbone evident at London stadium at last

West Ham will be looking at the forthcoming transfer window with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Losing many first team regulars will be an uncomfortable yet necessary part of a rebuild to ready the squad for the Championship season, yet several much loved players will be a big ‘miss’ if they are sold to fund the debt mountain.

However, it does seem that the Hammers do have a plan and are not simply heading for a wholesale 2003-style exodus before August.

Which seems to include a new-found determination – backbone, perhaps –  to hang on to their Skipper. According to the mirror.co.uk (updated 8th June) West Ham appear to be playing hardball over their talismanic captain’s future:

“Man Utd ‘informed’ of Jarrod Bowen transfer decision as West Ham dig in over move:

West Ham United have reportedly informed interested clubs that they intend to hold on to Jarrod Bowen this summer, despite their relegation to the Championship…

Manchester United are among the Premier League sides understood to be keen on the England international. Bowen, 29, is contracted to the Hammers until 2030, but has not featured outside the top flight since making the move from Hull City to the London Stadium six-and-a-half years ago.”

Supporters will hope that the ‘claret revolution’ taking place in the boardroom at West Ham even as we write will see the club take more businesslike decisions with a long term plan in place. If that long term plan includes a genuine intent to keep hold of Bowen, then most fans will be relieved and filled with hope for next season.

As events unfold in the next few weeks, that strategy may be tested if bids come in. One thing is clear, without Sullivan pulling the strings on the transfer strategy, Hammers players and supporters are entering new, uncharted waters when the window opens next week.