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Xabi Alonso has already given green light to €60m Chelsea signing

Updated: 31 May 2026 21:37 BST | 4 min read

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Xabi Alonso has already expressed his admiration for West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen amid significant rumours suggesting that Chelsea are eager to finalise a deal this summer.

Alonso, 44, will officially start his duties at Stamford Bridge on 1 July and it’s understood that he will play a key role in the Blues’ transfer business during the upcoming window after being appointed as the club’s first ‘manager’ since Jose Mourinho in 2013.

Chelsea have already officially announced the signings of Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Dastan Satpaev and Denner ahead of this summer, while a deal for Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco has been agreed too. However, the club are also keen to sign a number of experienced players, with Bowen among their targets.

The England winger, who was harshly omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, has been on Chelsea’s radar for several months and the west London giants are now weighing up an approach following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship, according to The Independent" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-jarrod-bowen-transfer-news-west-ham-fee-b2986402.html" target="_blank">The Independent.

Bowen scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 38 Premier League appearances this season, and he registered more goal contributions in the English top flight than Chelsea wingers Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens combined (18).

However, it wasn’t enough to prevent West Ham from dropping down into the second tier for the first time since 2011, and the 29-year-old is one of several stars who could depart the London Stadium before the end of Transfer Deadline Day on 1 September.

Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with a possible summer move for Bowen, although Chelsea appear to be the frontrunners for his signature and they have already received the ‘green light’ from Alonso to pursue a deal.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham

Xabi Alonso is a huge fan of Jarrod Bowen

Bowen has established himself as one of the most reliable attackers in the Premier League since his move to West Ham in 2020 and he was the subject of significant praise from Alonso during the Spaniard’s time in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.

Speaking to TNT Sports" href="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1781073735664939347" target="_blank">TNT Sports after his Leverkusen side secured a 3-1 aggregate win over West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals in 2024, Alonso admitted: “We know the physicality of West Ham, [they are] not just good players. Bowen and [Mohammed] Kudus are top, top players, but, as well, they are able to play with a lot of physicality.”

With Alonso evidently a fan of Bowen, it’s perhaps clear why Chelsea are keen to agree a deal for the Englishman, who could cost as much as €60 million this summer.