Jarrod Bowen in contention to be new West Ham United captain amid transfer news

Julen Lopetegui could appoint a new captain at West Ham United with Jarrod Bowen among the frontrunners, according to The Athletic.

Roshane Thomas has reported (5 July) that the new Spanish head coach could look to appoint the club's next skipper with Kurt Zouma's future "in doubt".

This could see him turn to the likes of Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal or Bowen who would be the contenders.

Potential new signing Max Kilman, who is set for his Hammers medical [Dharmesh Sheth], could be an "attractive" option due to his "leadership qualities".

Jarrod Bowen in West Ham captain contention

The Hammers have reportedly offered their current club captain to Nice in a bid to sign Jean Claire-Todibo [Graeme Bailey, 4 July].

It is safe to say that West Ham are already slightly light in the centre-back position thanks to the departure of Angelo Ogbonna.

Add to this the potential sale of Nayef Aguerd this summer and new options are going to be necessary for Lopetegui.

Kilman would represent a positive signing but having a player come in and take up the captaincy immediately would be a strange move.

Bowen is the Hammers' talisman and would certainly lead from the front and by example after his form in recent campaigns.

Typically the captain of a team is best placed in the back line or in the midfield but the Englishman would be a great choice.

The 27-year-old has shown his leadership qualities over the years and having the armband could improve his performances even further.

Lopetegui's squad is full of leaders so the title of captain won't matter to most so there is a decision there to be made.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers are readying themselves for a battle with Wolves for Kelechi Iheanacho.

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