Michael Owen has once again suggested that Jarrod Bowen should be signed as the replacement for Mohamed Salah this season, but it frankly makes zero sense for FSG to sign the West Ham captain.
“Under normal circumstances, no. But he is such a West Ham lad, he’s the captain, he’s adored by the club, his family are all from the area,” Owen said on Premier League Productions after West Ham were relegated on Sunday.
“If there’s any big player that is going to be relegated and stick with it then you can see it.
“However, Jarrod Bowen is incredible, you’ve got a short career, I mean he has to be playing in the Premier League.
“If something really, really interesting [is offered], I’ve said for a long time, I don’t make any apologies, Mo Salah has gone now from Liverpool, I think Bowen is the absolute perfect replacement for Mo Salah at Liverpool.
“If an opportunity came along for him like that, to play for Liverpool, then even the most ardent West Ham fan couldn’t begrudge that. Instead of playing in the Championship, go to one of the best teams in the world and fill Mo Salah’s boots, it’s really exciting for him.
“However, if an opportunity doesn’t come from one of the big boys like that, then maybe he’ll fight his way back into the Premier League with West Ham.”
20 – Jarrod Bowen for West Ham this season (9 goals, 11 assists) was the first player to get 20+ goals/assists in a Premier League campaign for a relegated team since Charlie Austin in 2014-15 for Queens Park Rangers (18 goals, 5 assists). Unfortunate. pic.twitter.com/HGsY3e7kcx
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 25, 2026
Jarrod Bowen makes direct comment on his West Ham future after Premier League relegation
Speaking after full-time on Sunday, Bowen was interviewed by Sky Sports live on broadcast, and the English forward offered some insight into what his aims might be this summer.
Bowen said: “I’m under contract here. There’s going to be rumours, there’s going to be talk, but ultimately what I see is getting this club back in the Premier League, because that’s where they deserve to be.”
With all due respect to Bowen, he’s not what Liverpool need on the right wing, regardless of what Michael Owen may have you believe.
Liverpool need pace, 1v1 dribbling ability and high output. Bowen is a fantastic finisher and has years and years of Premier League experience, but he’s also 29 turning 30 in December. He simply does not fit the profile for the type of forward Liverpool should be after this summer.
For example, Mohamed Salah – the man he’s supposedly replacing – managed 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions in his worst-ever season for Liverpool. Bowen got 11 goals and 12 assists. He doesn’t raise the bar from what Salah accomplished in his most disjointed and disappointing season at the club.
The Reds are reportedly considering Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola for transfer to radically increase the pace and direct running needed on both flanks this summer.