Manchester United may need to move swiftly if they are to secure a summer swoop for Jarrod Bowen. The forward is widely expected to be on the move following West Ham‘s relegation to the Championship. While the Hammers are believed to have placed a £50million price tag on Bowen, reports indicate that an offer closer to £40m could be sufficient to seal an agreement.
Bowen has been one of West Ham’s standout performers in the Premier League this season, registering 11 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. His impressive displays have attracted considerable attention, with Chelsea now reportedly weighing up a move for the 29-year-old as well. However, United hold one particular advantage over the Blues: his favoured squad number.
Bowen has donned the No. 20 shirt throughout the majority of his career, including the past six seasons at the London Stadium. Luckily for United, the number was freed up after Diogo Dalot switched to the No. 2 shirt ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Chelsea, by contrast, currently have Joao Pedro occupying the No. 20 shirt at Stamford Bridge. Despite the Brazilian being linked with a high-profile move to Barcelona this summer, Chelsea are reportedly unwilling to sanction his sale following an impressive debut season in west London.
They have reportedly had Bowen under close observation for quite some time as they seek to bolster their attacking ranks with greater experience and versatility.
New manager Xabi Alonso is also believed to be a long-standing admirer, having spoken highly of Bowen during his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen.
“He’s one of the top players for sure, not just in terms of goals, but energy as well,” Alonso told TNT Sports in 2024. “He’s a real threat in their transitions in the last third – he has a great foot, so that’s why he’s one of the top players in the English squad.”
That said, Bowen’s deep bond with the West Ham faithful could make a switch across London to Chelsea a harder sell than a move to Old Trafford.
United can also dangle the carrot of Champions League football next season after Michael Carrick’s side secured a third-place finish in the Premier League, ending the campaign 19 points ahead of Chelsea.
For now, however, Bowen is giving little away. Following West Ham’s relegation, he posted a heartfelt apology to supporters on social media.
“It’s hard to post something like this when all you’re feeling is embarrassment and pain,” Bowen shared on Instagram.
“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.”