Liverpool have had a disappointing campaign and have failed to maintain their high standards after winning the Premier League title last season.
The Reds are currently competing for a Champions League qualification spot and, with two games remaining, they need only one win to confirm they will play on the elite European stage next season.
There have been numerous issues that can be pinpointed to Liverpool’s demise this season, from injuries to key players to adapting to a £450m overhaul following summer recruitment.
Arne Slot’s future at the club has been a hot topic of conversation too, with the Dutch manager coming under scrutiny for his tactics and squad selections over the last 12 months.
On top of that, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will be leaving the club this summer, with Alisson Becker also potentially departing Merseyside as rumours continue to link him with a move to Juventus.
As a result, Liverpool supporters will be feeling frustrated and uncertain about how the future is going to look after the inconsistencies this season and the departure of major influences in the dressing room.
It has been heavily reported that the club will recruit again this summer and bring in new additions to help Slot develop the next generation of success at Liverpool, and one long-term target has reignited the rumour mill.
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are one of the leading contenders to sign West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen.
The publication claims that three Premier League clubs are interested in signing the England international, with Newcastle United and Liverpool’s rivals Everton also named.
It is noted that Liverpool have been long-term admirers of the Hammers skipper, but will need to pay around £60m to secure his signature, a price tag that will likely depend on whether West Ham are relegated or not.
Should Liverpool sign Jarrod Bowen?
There is no doubt that, at 29 years old, Bowen goes against the club’s usual model of buying younger players for long-term impact.
However, with Salah, Robertson and potentially Alisson leaving, there is an opportunity to balance experience and leadership with developing talent in the dressing room next season.
Bowen – once hailed as “amazing” by West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo – has a wealth of Premier League experience and was highly influential in the club’s Conference League success, scoring the winning goal in the final against Fiorentina back in 2023.
While there will be concerns around Bowen not being the ideal long-term replacement for Salah on the right flank, he brings far more to the dressing room and on the pitch than many will give him credit for and could be a quality option for Slot to deploy on both the right wing and in the centre-forward role.
Indeed, a £60m price tag does seem steep given West Ham’s current circumstances, but Liverpool are shrewd negotiators and, with the Hammers in a relegation battle they could lose in two weeks’ time, there will be a feeling that patience could halve the expense of that investment.
With that being said, Bowen may not represent Liverpool’s long-term future in the same way some younger targets would, but his experience, versatility and leadership could prove invaluable during a period of major transition at Anfield.
Players with proven Premier League quality and the mentality to thrive under pressure are not easy to find, and if West Ham’s situation forces their asking price down, Liverpool could have a rare market opportunity on their hands.
In a summer that could define the next era under Slot, signing Bowen may not be the most exciting move on paper, but it could end up being one of the smartest.
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