West Ham news: Pundit issues ‘controversial’ Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice transfer prediction Irons will love
Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen could be convinced to stay at West Ham even if the club misses out on Champions League qualification.
That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Hammers’ chances of playing in Europe next season.
West Ham boosted their hopes of a top-four finish by beating Wolves 1-0 on Sunday (27 February).
This left the Irons two points off fourth though Arsenal and Tottenham, who sit sixth and seventh, can overtake them thanks to their games in hand.
Bowen and Rice have been the subjects of much transfer speculation in recent months with a Liverpool source telling Football Insider (13 January) that Reds scouts have been keeping close tabs on Bowen ahead of the summer window,
However, even if West Ham fail to finish in the top four, Kenny claims the duo could stay with the club in a verdict Irons followers will love.
“I don’t think everything depends on the Champions League,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“It might be controversial to say but I think they will stay around. Big offers could come in but it’s the same at every football club.
“You only sell if the players kick up a fuss or if the bid is too good to turn down.
“I don’t see them really pushing to leave West Ham even if it is another season of Europa League football.
“There was meant to be all this interest in the two of them in January, did an offer come in?
“We didn’t hear about one so until there is an offer there is nothing to talk about.
“I just don’t see either of them pushing to leave, especially Bowen. He’s only been at this level for two-thirds of a season really.
“Fingers crossed he keeps it going but I’m not sure I see many clubs bidding for him.”
In other news, West Ham have been tipped to sign Said Benrahma upgrade and Declan Rice ally after £150m transfer update.