Chelsea have reportedly got Jarrod Bowen in their sights ahead of the summer transfer window.
Bowen has established himself as a firm fan favourite among the West Ham faithful having racked up 85 goals and 63 assists in 280 appearances for the east London outfit.
The 29-year-old has proven to be an invaluable member of the dressing room following his £22million arrival from Hull City in 2020 and played a key role in the club’s Europa Conference League success under David Moyes.
But Bowen’s tally of nine goals was not enough to prevent West Ham from dropping down into the Championship this season, with Tottenham pippingNuno Espirito’s men to survive relegation on the final day.
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And while the Irons have confirmed Nuno will stay on as head coach, there are expected to be a host of first-team changes ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
According to The Independent, the Hammers now find themselves ‘under pressure’ to sell Bowen – one of their top earners – and there is no shortage of interest in the England international.
It’s claimed Chelsea have been ‘considering Bowen for some time’ and are among those ‘weighing up’ a bid to prise the forward away from the London Stadium.
The report adds that Chelsea bosses are keen to add experience to the dressing room and believe Bowen is exactly the kind of profile who could bring some much-needed leadership the group that Xabi Alonso will soon inherit.
Bowen’s versatility is also said to be a key factor in the Blues exploring a move this summer.
The Club World Cup holders will likely be forced to fend off strong interest for the West Ham attacker, though, with several club mulling over offers.
Bowen’s current contract with the Irons runs through to June 2030.
‘It’s hard to post something like this when all you’re feeling is embarrassment and pain,’ Bowen wrote in an Instagram post after West Ham’s relegation was confirmed.
‘I could write loads trying to explain where it all went wrong this season, but honestly what you deserve from me is an apology.
‘Winning that trophy in Prague was the best night of my career. Sunday was the worst.
‘We just weren’t good enough. Simple as that. And that’s why the season ended the way it did.’
Soon-to-be Chelsea boss Alonso – who will officially take charge on July 1 – heaped praise on the ‘amazing’ Bowen back in 2024 after his Bayer Leverkusen side overcame West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals.
‘I am just happy to go through. In the Europa League you always have tough moments,’ Alonso told TNT Sports 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.
‘You need to deal with difficult moments, it’s not always possible to control the whole 90 minutes. It was key we didn’t concede that second or third goal.
‘We know the physicality of West Ham. They also have amazing players like Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.’
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