Man Utd can give Jarrod Bowen perfect welcome gift as transfer race takes twist

View 2 Images

Manchester United may need to move swiftly if they want to secure a summer transfer for Jarrod Bowen . The West Ham forward is widely tipped to leave east London after the Hammers dropped into the Championship on the final day of the season.

Although the club reportedly value Bowen at around £50million, some reports claim a bid nearer to £40m may still be enough to get the transfer completed. Bowen has stood out as one of the Premier League's most effective performers this season, registering 11 goals along with 12 assists in all competitions.

Unsurprisingly, his displays have drawn major attention, with Chelsea now said to be weighing up a move for the 29-year-old. However, United may hold one advantage over the Blues: they can offer Bowen his preferred shirt number.

The England star has regularly worn the No. 20 jersey throughout much of his playing career, including the past six years at the London Stadium. In United's case, that squad number recently opened up after Diogo Dalot changed to the No. 2 shirt before the start of the 2025/26 season.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Chelsea, meanwhile, already have Joao Pedro wearing the No. 20 shirt at Stamford Bridge. While the Brazilian has been linked with a blockbuster summer transfer to Barcelona , the Blues are reportedly unwilling to let him leave following an outstanding first season in west London.

As reported by Metro , Chelsea have tracked Bowen for some time as they look to add more experience and versatility to their front line. Incoming boss Xabi Alonso is also believed to be a huge admirer of the West Ham player and previously praised him during his spell managing 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."

View 2 Images

That said, Bowen's close bond with West Ham supporters may make a transfer to London rivals Chelsea harder to justify than a move to Old Trafford. United are also able to provide Champions League football next season after Michael Carrick's team finished third in the Premier League , ending the season 19 points clear of Chelsea.

At this stage, though, Bowen remains tight-lipped about his future. After West Ham's relegation was confirmed, he posted an emotional message apologising to fans 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."

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.