Jarrod Bowen has confirmed his intention to stay with West Ham United following the club's relegation to the Championship, despite interest from multiple Premier League clubs. The 29-year-old forward, who joined from Hull City in January 2020, traveled to Prague for talks with majority shareholder Daniel Kretinsky and board member Jiri Svarc during the summer.
Bowen's Commitment to West Ham
Bowen told West Ham's media channels: "I feel like we're moving in the right direction as a club. There's a lot of thinking time over the summer and a lot of things that go in your head. But I look in years and years to come of when I retire, what's going to bring me the most happiness. For me now that's getting this club back into the Premier League." The captain, who signed a contract extension through 2030, described the decision as "a no-brainer" for him.
Interest from Premier League Clubs
Aston Villa, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all monitored Bowen's situation. However, his decision to stay likely ends any chance of a recall to Thomas Tuchel's England squad. Bowen last played in the Championship with Hull in January 2020, before his move to West Ham.
Talks with Ownership
Bowen elaborated on his discussions with Kretinsky and Svarc: "I flew out to Prague in the Czech Republic to meet Daniel and Jiri and the ambition that I got from them, certainly in terms of the direction the club wants to move in, it interests me a lot. It didn't take a lot for me, because this club means a lot to me."
Financial Moves After Relegation
West Ham needed to raise funds after relegation and have already received £85 million from Tottenham for Matheus Fernandes. The club expects further departures, including winger Crysencio Summerville, who is wanted by Manchester United, as well as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo.
