West Ham United have let it be known they would be open to selling Jarrod Bowen to Liverpool for a specific price.
Bowen is a real fan favourite at West Ham.
The forward has been one of the poster boys of the new David Moyes era at West Ham – identifying talented, hardworking young players hungry to prove themselves in the top flight.
Bowen scored eight goals and laid on five assists in 30 games for West Ham last season.
Brilliant Bowen a real Hammers hit
And he even selflessly played through a bout of illness which impacted his fitness.
Now he is firmly on the radar of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp according to reports that took West Ham fans by surprise this week (The Athletic).
Liverpool have also been linked with West Ham talisman Declan Rice after reports emerged the midfielder had turned down a new Hammers contract.
Now Klopp also has eyes on Bowen and West Ham fans – already frustrated by their own lack of transfer activity – are not happy.
Report claims Hammers board would consider Liverpool offer topping £35m
So a new claim from The Athletic will not do anything to lift the mood around the London Stadium.
The article states Bowen is not for sale and the player is happy at West Ham.
But reporter Roshane Thomas, who has strong connections at the club – highlighted by his exclusive albeit brief interview with David Sullivan earlier this week – also claimed the West Ham board could sell Bowen to Liverpool if they stump up £35 million.
“Just as Moyes believes Declan Rice is worth more than £100 million, the hierarchy at West Ham think a bid would need to be over £35 million to even be considered,” Thomas wrote in The Athletic.
That would represent around £15m in profit for the Hammers IF Liverpool are willing to pay.
Bowen wouldn’t be a game changer for Liverpool but he would leave a big hole at West Ham
Hardly an earth shattering amount.
And while Bowen might be a useful squad player for Liverpool, taking him out of the West Ham setup – especially with Jesse Lingard looking increasingly unlikely to return – would leave David Moyes woefully short.
West Ham must hold on to the likes of Bowen and Rice AND add three or four quality players if they want to continue the progress made by Moyes.
Selling their best players on the eve of a jam-packed season with Europa League football will simply infuriate fans and spark outcry.
In other news, no nonsense Moyes fires West Ham warning saying ‘We don’t have anybody that special’ ahead of new season.
And ExWHUemployee lifts lid on why Rice has not signed a new contract yet.
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