Noel Whelan has tipped West Ham to fight for a Jarrod Bowen contract extension amid interest from Liverpool and believes that the Hammers’ league position will determine the outcome, as per Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Liverpool long-term admirers of Bowen
The Liverpool Echo have claimed that Liverpool are long-term admirers of the West Ham winger, and they will continue to scout the 24-year-old with a potential move on the cards in the summer transfer window.
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Bowen has had an impressive start to the 2021/22 campaign; he currently leads the Hammers in assists in the Premier League, having produced five this season.
The English attacker has also gained valuable experience on the European stage. Bowen has appeared in five games in the Irons’ Europa League campaign, adding an extra goal and assist to his tally for the season.
The Latest: Whelan issues verdict on potential exit
According to a Rush Green source at Football insider, West Ham are planning on offering Bowen a new and improved contract, despite his current deal running until summer 2025.
And Whelan claims that the Hammers will make an effort to do anything to keep the player at the club, insisting that the team’s league position at the end of the season will determine the outcome of Bowen’s future. Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “This is what happens when players are standing out in a team that’s been very successful like West Ham.
“He’s a player that I enjoy watching. His energy, his quality on the ball, he can play down the middle, on the right and left. He’s a player that you would fit the Liverpool bill of what they want across that front three.
“Would West Ham let him go? I think they’ll do everything possible to keep him at West Ham, quite frankly. I think it’ll all come down to how successful West Ham are at the end of the season. Where they are in the league.
“It’s going be interesting. I admire him, he’s a great player, he really is. That energy, that quality on the ball, the link-up play he has.
“I can see why Liverpool would be tempted and interested in a player like that.”
The Verdict: Bowen could stay following recent success
With West Ham’s magnificent start to the season landing them in fourth place, the Hammers are well and truly in the running for Champions League qualification - they have already beat Liverpool and Chelsea, which shows exactly how competitive they can stay amongst the league challengers.
According to Whelan, this could sway Bowen into signing a contract extension and ultimately commit his career to the club.
The former Hull starlet has of course received lots of praise this season - Gary Neville has commented on how the winger "is a bundle of energy" and that 'he is brilliant to watch".
Perhaps to Hammers fans’ dismay, Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has continually praised him over the past year too, culminating with the German saying: "I like Bowen a lot."