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Jarrod Bowen: Arsenal enquiry confirmed as reporter reveals key ‘challenge’ affecting West Ham transfer

Jarrod Bowen during a West Ham match

Arsenal have “definitely” enquired about signing West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, according to a reporter who has revealed the response.

Bowen has been a player on the rise in recent years. He stepped up from the Championship to the Premier League in January 2020 when leaving Hull City for West Ham. Since then, he has flourished.

Last season was his best yet for West Ham, as he scored 18 goals from 51 games in all competitions. He also became a full England international, earning his first four caps for his country.

Amid his impressive rise, there have been links with a couple of clubs above West Ham in the Premier League. For example, last month, it was claimed that Arsenal were in touch with his representatives.

It appears that was true, as CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs has now confirmed Arsenal have asked about Bowen.

However, West Ham are copying their negotiating stance for Declan Rice when it comes to Bowen, so a move this summer appears unlikely.

Jacobs told Give Me Sport: “With Bowen, West Ham’s stance remains that they really don’t want to sell. So there’s a lot of clubs circling over Bowen, but the challenge, much like Declan Rice, is persuading West Ham to sell during this window and West Ham remain pretty intent not to let him go.

“So, there’s lots of excitement about Bowen moving potentially to a club like Arsenal. But it’s all hypothetical at the moment, because West Ham don’t want to sell.

“But Arsenal have definitely made an enquiry around Bowen to see what the situation is, but that’s what they’ve been told.”

Jarrod Bowen capable of step up but may have to wait

West Ham still have Bowen under contract until 2025. Therefore, they are not in a hurry to see the back of him. After all, they have another campaign with European football on the horizon.

Arsenal are in a competition above West Ham this season, competing in the Europa League rather than the Europa Conference League. However, perhaps they will have to wait until attaining Champions League status to really increase their power in the transfer market.

Still, it has been a good window for Arsenal, with the additions of champions like Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko. They have also added attacking talent for the future, like Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos, while bringing in backup goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Perhaps another attacker of some description would be beneficial, but it seems like it won’t be Bowen.

At 25 years of age, there is every chance he could take the next step in his career within a couple of seasons, though.

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