Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is an admirer of West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen, according to insider Claret & Hugh. 

The lowdown

The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke and Charlie Eccleshare reported at the weekend that Antonio Conte wanted to bolster his no. 9 options ahead of 2022/23.

While Bowen played the majority of his football - 35 games - on the right wing, David Moyes also fielded him as a centre-forward on ten occasions.

It was an excellent campaign for the 24-year-old, who scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions, including 12 apiece in the Premier League.

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The latest

The Hammers insider states that Conte has added Bowen to his 'wanted list' for the summer transfer window. The Italian is a 'big fan' of the Englishman off the back of his exploits last season.

However, a West Ham source has claimed that 'it is simply not going to happen'.

Rather than considering a sale, the Hammers are intent upon negotiating 'an improved deal' with the player.

The verdict

It's no surprise that Bowen has caught Conte's eye.

He finished just outside the top ten in the Premier League's scoring charts and wound up third behind Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the assist rankings (via BBC Sport).

Only Salah (36), Son Heung-min (30), Harry Kane (26) and Kevin de Bruyne (22) recorded more goal involvements in the top-flight.

This form saw Bowen win West Ham's Players' Player of the Year award, scoop a Premier League Player of the Season nomination and earn his first England call-up.

His estimated Transfermarkt value, meanwhile, has climbed to a career-high £31.5million.

Spurs saw first-hand how good he could be back in December when he showcased 'terrific feet' and scored a 'superb' goal (in the words of Sky Sports' lead commentator) in their 2-1 EFL Cup quarterfinal victory over the Irons.

The problem, ultimately, is that West Ham will steadfastly refuse to sell a star player to London rivals Spurs.

In other news, a journalist has dropped a big Darwin Nunez update involving Spurs.