Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster has encouraged Liverpool to explore a move for Jarrod Bowen, claiming the forward would do an ‘absolutely fantastic job’ at Anfield.
Bowen is expected to leave West Ham this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, with nearest rivals Tottenham clinging on to ensure their survival on the final day of the season.
The Hammers captain has racked up 85 goals and 63 assists in 280 appearances for the east London outfit, numbers that have made him a firm fan favourite at the London Stadium.
The 29-year-old was unable to provide any assurances over his future after the Irons’ drop down into the Championship was confirmed – and it’s understood a host of top clubs are closely monitoring the situation.
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The likes of Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in Bowen in recent times and The Independent this week indicated that West Ham were ‘under pressure’ to sell their prized possession.
The report also placed Chelsea at the front of the transfer race to secure Bowen’s services, with the Blues said to be mulling over a bid ‘for some time’ and incoming manager Xabi Alonso known to be an admirer.
But according to Foster, Liverpool should be weighing up Bowen as a potential signing considering his proven pedigree in the Premier League stretching back six-and-a-half seasons.
While Foster doubts many Liverpool supporters would have Bowen as their number one target, he is confident the England international would prove to be a shrewd piece of business for the Reds if given the chance.
‘I’d love to see him with Liverpool because I think he would do an absolutely fantastic job,’ the ex-Manchester United and Watford shot-stopper said on the the Fozcast podcast.
‘He’s tried and tested and you know he’s going to do the job.
‘But no, he’s not [going to be a like-for-like Mohamed Salah replacement] and I get the impression Liverpool fans would see it not as a progression, a sideways step.
‘They want the £90m player that players for Inter Milan who is up and coming, who is Brazilian, who is this and that. That’s what they want.
On the suggestion Bowen would score 15 league goals a season playing for Liverpool, Foster replied: ‘Agreed, totally agree.
‘There are all sorts of players getting linked now, the merry-go-round has just started in fairness.’
After West Ham’s Premier League status was stripped away last month, a heartbroken Bowen took to Instagram to issue a heartfelt apology to the fanbase.
‘It’s hard to post something like this when all you’re feeling is embarrassment and pain,’ he wrote.
‘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.’
Bowen continued: ‘To the fans, you didn’t let us down once. The support home and away never changed, even when things weren’t good enough from us on the pitch.
‘We should have given you more. You deserved more.
‘One thing I know about this club is that it has the desire and fight to bounce back from this. This club belongs in the Premier League and deserves to be back there as soon as possible.’
The attacker’s current contract at the London Stadium is not due to expire until June 2030.
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