Frank McAvennie issues Jarrod Bowen warning after West Ham winger linked to Liverpool

We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…

Frank McAvennie has suggested it would be a big mistake for Jarrod Bowen to leave West Ham for Liverpool amid recent speculation over a move to Merseyside.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday [21/07/21] that the 24-year-old was on the shortlist of the six-time Champions League winners.

Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, ex-Irons striker McAvennie has backed Bowen to stay at West Ham and continue his upward trajectory.

West Ham

“He’s done very well keeping out a top-earner in Andriy Yarmolenko,” McAvennie said.

“But would he want to go and be a bit-part player at Liverpool?

“If he goes to Liverpool he will be. At West Ham, he has proven that he’s good enough to keep himself in the team.

“It’s a strange one.

“I hope he doesn’t leave because he’s at a good age and he’s at a good club so he can progress.”

West Ham

Career choice

If Liverpool were to firm up their interest with a concrete bid, Bowen would naturally have a tough choice to make, and it will all depend on how he views himself.

West Ham placed a lot of faith in him when they plucked him from struggling Championship outfit Hull City in January 2020, spending big money on a player not proven in the Premier League.

He has repaid the club handsomely thus far.

But a move to perennial Champions League and Premier League competitors Liverpool is sure to pique the interest of most ambitious talents.

However, would he get regular game time with the Reds? Diogo Jota moved from Wolves to Liverpool last summer and instantly made himself an integral member of the first-team squad, so the evidence is there that it can be done.

But with the Portuguese international, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all at the club, is there really space for a fifth player like Bowen?

17-year-old Harvey Elliott is on the rise and he will be looking to earn minutes next season, so it appears that he is a more suitable option for them at the moment, and someone like Bowen would probably be advised to stay put and continue to impress for the Irons, who will be playing Europa League football this season.

In other West Ham news, the Irons want to sign this ‘Unbelievable’ Premier League ace dubbed a ‘Monster’ by Jamie Carragher.

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