Jarrod Bowen has reportedly been linked with a move to Liverpool for some time, and now Chelsea and Manchester United have also entered the race to sign the West Ham forward
Nathan Ridley
07:29, 20 May 2026
Jarrod Bowen could leave West Ham this summer
Jarrod Bowen could leave West Ham this summer(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)
Manchester United has thrown its hat into the ring to sign Jarrod Bowen, joining rivals Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to prise him away from relegation-threatened West Ham.
Bowen, 29, looks set to be available in the summer transfer window, with the Irons needing to generate in excess of £100 million ($134 million) from player sales should they drop out of the top flight.
West Ham sit just two points from safety and face the drop if Tottenham beats Everton on Sunday, regardless of their own result against Leeds. Despite the club's precarious position, Bowen has contributed 10 goals and 11 assists as skipper of the struggling side.
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The forward will also have one eye on Friday's England World Cup squad announcement, hoping to earn a call-up. Liverpool have long been considered frontrunners to secure his signature as a successor to Mo Salah, who is set to depart Anfield this summer, while Chelsea have also emerged as credible suitors. Ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp even suggested Bowen was one of his 'favorite' players.
Now United has joined the fray. The Guardian report that the Red Devils are lining up a move as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of their Champions League return.
It is understood that United view Bowen's versatility as a significant asset. The former Hull City man is equally adept as a striker or right winger, having reached double figures for goals in five of his six complete seasons at West Ham, reports the Mirror.
Chelsea is also keen to strengthen on the right flank. Bowen remains under contract until 2030, though West Ham will face mounting pressure to sell should relegation be confirmed. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Bowen made clear that he won't entertain discussions about his future until the campaign concludes. "I've done it since I've been at Hull," he stated.
"I sit down at the end of every season and think, what's best for me? What do I feel? What's my gut feeling? And then make a decision and go with it there."
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Dejection for West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St James' Park on May 17, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
While World Cup ambitions remain strong, keeping the club up is his sole focus at present. "It's probably one of the biggest weeks in my career," Bowen continued.
"So it would be wrong for me to start looking past into the next few weeks and start putting my energy elsewhere. I love this club. I have a lot of care for this club. So I want to put all my energy into this week.
"A lot of stuff gets printed. That's what happens in social media and in newspapers these days. A lot of false things get put out there. When there's time to speak and time to address different things, then it will come from me because that's how I work.
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"I'm quite honest. I'm quite open. I'll always address different sorts of things. But for me now, my energy has to be into this week. There's no other way."