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Chelsea want €58m forward as Alonso's first signing

31 May 2026 18:33 BST | 4 min read

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Chelsea reportedly want to sign West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen this summer as they look to bolster the attacking options available to new manager Xabi Alonso ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Bowen registered 20 goal contributions in 38 Premier League matches this season, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the drop as the Hammers suffered relegation down to the Championship for the first time since 2011.

The England forward, who narrowly missed out on selection for the upcoming World Cup, has been heavily linked with a West Ham exit over the past week, with several top English clubs believed to be monitoring his situation.

Liverpool and Manchester United are both keeping a close eye on his situation at the London Stadium, while Chelsea have also been linked with a summer swoop. In fact, The Independent" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-jarrod-bowen-transfer-news-west-ham-fee-b2986402.html" target="_blank">The Independent now report that Alonso’s side are “weighing up” an approach for Bowen amid their pursuit of significant attacking reinforcements.

Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap all endured disappointing debut campaigns at Stamford Bridge in 2025-26, and the west London giants are eager to bolster their first-team squad this summer as they look to bounce back from failing to qualify for any European competition.

The likes of Morgan Rogers, Iliman Ndiaye and Bradley Barcola have all been touted as possible summer signings, but the club are also interested in Bowen, who is valued at roughly €58 million (£50m) by the West Ham hierarchy.

However, Chelsea, and other suitors, are reportedly confident that a deal can be finalised for a fee of around €46m (£40m) instead, with West Ham potentially under pressure to sell following their relegation to the second tier.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham

Bowen, 29, has been at West Ham since 2020 and with over 230 Premier League appearances to his name, Chelsea are keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge as they look to add experience to their youthful first-team squad.

It’s reported that Bowen has been on Chelsea’s radar for a while, and the Blues are now ready to intensify their pursuit of his signature ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window, with several other clubs likely to rival them for the England star.

What has Jarrod Bowen said?

Speaking to Sky Sports after West Ham’s relegation was confirmed, Bowen admitted: “Ultimately, this season we haven’t been good enough and we’ve paid the price.

“I’m under contract here. I’ve been here for six-and-a-half years. I’ve had some really high moments and this is a low moment that will outweigh everything.

“There’s going to be rumours, there’s going to be talk. Ultimately, what I see is getting this club back in the Premier League because that is where it deserves to be.

“This is a really, really low moment, but we have to bounce back because there’s no other way. This is a really difficult moment. You never know what the future holds. For me, I want to get this club back in the Premier League. Right now our vision is to do that.”

However, despite Bowen's comments, he is a man in demand and West Ham may therefore struggle to retain his services in the Championship.