As long as negotiations to renew his contract with the team continue, Jarrod Bowen’s future seems to still be very much up in the air.
Naturally, he has been associated with several teams in recent months in what at times appears to be a rehash of the Declan Rice controversy.
Bowen has remained upbeat about his position and seems happy at the club but Tony Gale reckons he is reaching a level where top clubs are bound to be interested.
Claret and Hugh sources have claimed they are confident a deal can be done over the next few weeks and they are always straightforward as was the case with Declan when they made it clear to us that last season would be his last.
Gale, however, appears to think they are going to struggle to keep Jarrod but then he said the same of Michail Antonio when ne was at the peak of his striking powers and it didn’t happen.
Gale is a regular commentator on the box for West Ham games on matches which are broadcast abroad and yesterday during the game against Sheffield United made his feelings clear on the chances of Bowen remaining at the club.
He said: “If he gets a few games in the team he’ll be a real force for England. He’s got a good work rate, good work ethic about defending as well, great all-round player.
“West Ham will do really well maybe to hold on to him, maybe next season I think the bigger clubs will be coming in for him.”
