Chelsea are considering a move for Jarrod Bowen this summer.
Bowen’s London Stadium future remains uncertain following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.
The Hammers skipper has become a club hero in recent years, underlined by his late winner in the Europa Conference League final in 2023, which ended a 43-year wait for major silverware.
He’s scored 85 goals and registered a further 60 assists in 280 appearances in all competitions, posting 20+ goal contributions in each of his last five seasons at the club.
But after the club posted recorded losses of £104m earlier this year, relegation to England’s second-tier means most of the club’s top earners and most valuable assets will likely be up for sale over the next few months.
Bowen is the squad’s highest earner with a contract reportedly worth £150k-a-week.
Chelsea want ‘amazing’ Jarrod Bowen
Chelsea have emerged as the latest club to be considering a move to tempt Bowen away from east London.
Bowen has often spoken of his love and loyalty to West Ham, and his family are huge fans.
But given the club’s financial situation, he may be forced out even if he wants to stay and help the club return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
That’s according to The Independent, who claim West Ham are ‘under pressure’ to sell the winger.
The report claims the Blues have been long-term admirers of the England international.
And as Xabi Alonso prepares to take charge at Stamford Bridge this summer, it’s believed he wants to make Bowen one of his first signing, citing his versatility as an attractive attribute behind their interest.
Alonso is no stranger to what Bowen has to offer, after his Bayer Leverkusen side came up against the Hammers in the 2023/2024 Europa League quarter-finals.
After the second-leg, which ended 1-1, Alonso was full of praise for West Ham and Bowen.
He said at the time: “West Ham have good players and energy. Credit to them, they played really hard, totally different to what they did in Leverkusen.
“We know the physicality of West Ham. They also have amazing players like Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.”
That appraisal for Bowen could be what’s fuelling these rumours now, although Chelsea will face tough competition for Bowen’s signature this summer.
However, they might hold an advantage in the race for his services.
Bowen and his family are happy and settled in London, so the chance to remain in the capital will likely be an attractive proposition.
