Aston Villa and Everton are emerging as the frontrunners for what could be one of the biggest transfer deals of the summer
It’s hardly uncommon to hear mixed messages about the future of any given player at this early stage of the transfer window – but right now there could scarcely be any less clarity about the future of Jarrod Bowen, one of the summer’s most in-demand players.
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Speak to some sources, and they’ll insist that West Ham won’t sell Bowen at any price, and that Bowen is happy to stay at the London Stadium. Talk to others, and he’s desperate to leave and could be sold for a fee of around £50m. Or perhaps £40m or 60m. Maybe even more. And that’s before you even start to ask about who might actually sign him.
For all the uncertainty, however, two teams appear to be emerging as particularly strong candidates for Bowen’s signature: Aston Villa and Everton. Success or failure in their respective pursuits could define their summer transfer windows.
The latest on Jarrod Bowen amid interest from Aston Villa & Everton
Bowen has 85 goals in 280 appearances for West Hamplaceholder image
Bowen has 85 goals in 280 appearances for West Ham | Getty Images
As soon as West Ham’s relegation was confirmed on the final decision, it was inevitable that there would be something of a feeding frenzy at the London Stadium. West Ham are keen not to allow their squad to be asset stripped, but seem to be resigned to losing Mateus Fernandes and likely Crysencio Summerville.
With those two high-value player expected to leave already, West Ham do appear to be holding out hope that they can retain Bowen in spite of considerable interest from teams who are now a division above them on the league ladder. Bowen has not – so far, at least – kicked up a fuss of any kind or pushed to leave, which has made the Hammers more optimistic still. Keep hold of Bowen, the reasoning goes, and a swift return to the top flight will be considerably easier to arrange.
With promotion back to the Premier League usually estimated to be worth at least £200m, then, it will take a significant sum to force West Ham’s hand. Reports suggesting £50m as a figure may well be optimistic.
Those reports include one from The Athletic this week which suggests that Aston Villa have “expressed a strong interest” in the 29-year-old, making them perhaps the best source yet to suggest that the Villans will make a bid.
That bid isn’t likely to come any time soon, however. Aston Villa are still struggling to keep their finances in good order after narrowly avoiding a PSR breach last summer, and seem likely to have to arrange one or two sales before they can afford to splash out £50m or more – even having qualified for the Champions League. They aren’t expected to be in danger of a points deduction or of breaking UEFA’s financial rules, but they have to be cautious.
That’s a situation which could play into Everton’s hands. A few gossip websites, including Football Insider, have suggested that the Toffees have already opened preliminary discussions over a move. As yet, no more reputable outlets appear to have carried the story, but their interest appears to be genuine even if any suggestion of negotiations may perhaps be premature.
A bid for Bowen would represent an atypically ambitious move for a club that hasn’t made too many big statement signings since the early years of Farhad Moshiri’s tenure as chairman, but new owners the Friedkin Group seem keen to make a splash this summer and appear to be prepared to back David Moyes with substantial resources. They could well be very serious contenders to sign one of the most sought-after players on the market.
Which team is most likely to land Bowen?
Bowen cost a reported £22m when West Ham signed him from Hull Cityplaceholder image
Bowen cost a reported £22m when West Ham signed him from Hull City | Getty Images
Aston Villa need to take things slow this summer, which gives Everton an edge. Everton, on the other hand, can’t offer Bowen European football, which puts Villa right back in the frame. What Bowen wants - be it money, a shot at silverware or simply to stay at a club where he is already loved and appreciated - remains unknown.
Even assuming that Aston Villa and Everton both make offers, this isn’t likely to be a deal which gets done too quickly. Bowen may not be tied up with the World Cup as many expected, but he seems to be in no rush to decide his future, while his club’s focus is on dealing with negotiations over Fernandes and Summerville.
As it stands, no other clubs appear to have stepped forward. A variety of other Premier League sides have cropped up in the gossip columns, perhaps most notably Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Liverpool, but neither appears to have Bowen at the top of their shortlist and they are instead focussing on different targets. At least for now.
It may come as something of a surprise that there isn’t greater interest in a player who scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in the Premier League last season, but the combination of price and age is putting some teams off – Bowen is neither budget-friendly nor a long-term investment.
That means that he appeals more to clubs who want a statement signing who can instantly improve their attack, and makes sense of the stories putting Aston Villa and Everton at the front of the queue. The fact is, however, that it’s far too early to know where he might end up, and the player has given no hints as to whether he will push back if West Ham decide to try and keep him in the Championship.
This is a transfer saga with a lot of road left ahead of it, and no predictable outcome – but as Aston Villa and Everton’s interest gradually firms up, the first pieces are starting to fall into place.
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