There are a number of players out there right now that Wolves might have signed – and one current Premier League star is looking like a serious fumble by the club.
In more recent times, Wolves were linked with the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Viktor Gyokeres, who have gone on to become top players worth millions.
Wolves’ recruitment in recent years has been fairly mixed. Admittedly, some fantastic players were signed such as Ruben Neves, Pedro Neto, Diogo Jota, Raul Jimenez and more recently, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha.
But, as is probably the case with many other clubs, Wolves have missed out on a fair few.
And Wolves came up against one such player on Monday night against West Ham United in the form of Jarrod Bowen.
Wolves wanted Jarrod Bowen before his move to Hull City
Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolv...
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Bowen was on target for West Ham the other night against Wolves at the London Stadium.
The star scored the Hammers’ second goal of the 2-1 win to give his side a huge three points and ease the pressure a bit on manager Julen Lopetegui. Bowen was then involved in altercation with Mario Lemina after the full-time whistle which wasn’t great to see.
In a parallel universe, Bowen might have been turning out for Wolves in this game.
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In an interview with West Ham’s media team earlier this year, Bowen spoke about his rise in football and admitted he actually did have interest from Wolves before he made his move to Hull City back in 2014.
He said: “I had West Brom and Wolves also interested which was a bit closer, so I was like get me there. But it was mainly my dad who made me go as far away as possible, so I could learn how to live on my own and all the other stuff off the field and stand on my own two feet.
“Otherwise, I would have just been at home every weekend. We sat down and discussed every decision and what we could do but he [his dad] was pushing more for the Hull City move. He said he knew I could take myself to the next level on the pitch but told me I would grow as a person there off the pitch.”
Jarrod Bowen has had a hugely impressive rise since 2014 Wolves interest
It’s unclear how close Wolves got to signing Bowen, but he’s now looking every inch a player the club missed out on.
At Hull, Bowen made 131 appearances for the club, scoring 54 goals and making 14 appearances. That record earned him £22 million transfer to West Ham in January 2020.
There’s also a worry that players moving up from the Championship will struggle in the Premier League. But Bowen has proven to be a superb signing for the Hammers. In 219 appearances, he’s scored 65 goals and made 43 assists.
Bowen for West Ham (January 2020-present) Bowen for Hull (2014- January 2022) Bowen for England (2022-present)
Appearances – 219 Appearances – 131 Caps – 14
Goals – 65 Goals – 54 Goals – 1
Assists – 34 Assists – 14 Assists – 0
That’s a truly excellent return, and ahead of the current season Bowen’s status as a top player was rewarded with the captaincy.
His form at West Ham also allowed him to become an England international.
Wolves signed some great wingers down the years, such as Neto, Jota and Adama Traore.
But it’s something of a shame the club weren’t able to lure Bowen back in 2014. Of course, his career may have panned out differently had he moved to Molineux back then.
But seeing how well he’s done, it’s difficult not to wonder what might have been,