West Ham 'in trouble' if Jarrod Bowen becomes second forward to agree move
West Ham United will be in serious trouble if Jarrod Bowen joins Callum Wilson in leaving the club this summer.
That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 34-year-old is set to join Brentford on a one-year contract after leaving the Hammers, despite having reportedly been close to staying put for a year in the Championship.
Wilson arrived on a free transfer last summer and scored seven Premier League goals for West Ham, but it appears that Nuno Espirito Santo has failed in his attempts to convince him to stay.
The former Bournemouth front man thrived in his only stint in the Championship and likely would have been a strong option for the second tier.
Questions remain over Bowen's future, too, with the captain yet to confirm his desires this summer.
Bryan King warns West Ham after Callum Wilson exit
It is unclear just how much of a choice West Ham had in Wilson's exit this summer.
The 34-year-old may well have opted for another year in the Premier League, but finances could be to blame as well.
The Irons have been forced to cut costs and bring in money following their relegation, and it may have been decided that the striker was not worth the wages.
"I'd have kept him. Certainly to play up front with Jarrod Bowen, if he's going to still be there," King told Football Insider.
"Those two up front in the Championship, for me, would send a team challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
" If he's going to leave West Ham for Brentford, then he's back in the Premier League. Surely that would have been a sign to West Ham, unless he's on massive money.
"Always letting an experienced player go at this time [is not favourable]. I'm sure he would have coped with the Championship.
"As I say, if they get rid of Jarrod Bowen, then West Ham have got a major problem up front."
Wilson exit could hand Callum Marshall chance
Currently, West Ham have Castellanos, Pablo, Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Marshall at their disposal.
Two of those could leave this summer, with Fullkrug certainly expected to move on following his loan to AC Milan.
Castellanos has attracted interest from Everton following his strong end to the season, and a good offer could tempt the Hammers.
That could leave Marshall with a genuine opportunity up front for West Ham, after the 21-year-old scored eight goals across 26 appearances last season.