Jarrod Bowen reportedly has an understanding with West Ham that could see him leave if the club fails to secure immediate promotion back to the Premier League, according to former recruitment expert Mick Brown.
Despite signing a new contract, the deal is said to include a condition that allows Bowen to explore his options if West Ham doesn't achieve their goal of returning to top-flight football. Brown explained that Bowen agreed to stay with a clear plan to be back in the Premier League next season.
"But come the end of the season, if they’re falling behind or look like they’re going to miss out, the speculation surrounding him is going to come back up again," Brown told Football Insider. "Interest from these clubs isn’t going to go away, they’re going to be keeping a close eye on the situation at West Ham."
Brown highlighted that bouncing straight back up to the Premier League is never guaranteed. "It’s not a foregone conclusion that they will go straight back up… many clubs have gone down, planned to bounce back up, and failed. I expect Bowen has an agreement with the club that if they miss out on their goals of promotion, he will be allowed to consider his options."
Bowen has been a standout player for West Ham, even attracting strong links to Liverpool before extending his contract. His crucial goal in the Europa Conference League final cemented his importance. At 28, staying in the Championship for too long could impact his international ambitions and desire to play at the highest level.
For now, Bowen's priority is helping West Ham achieve promotion. However, if they fall short, Brown anticipates intensified speculation about his future, positioning Bowen to reassess his career path.
