Chelsea’s ambitions to sign Jarrod Bowen from West Ham United have encountered a potential obstacle, as West Ham shareholder Daniel Kretinsky stated the club does not need to sell key players for financial reasons this summer.
Bowen, 29, has attracted interest from several top-flight clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool following a productive season with the Hammers despite their relegation from the Premier League. He scored nine goals and provided 11 assists for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, proving a consistent performer in a difficult campaign.
Kretinsky’s comments, made in an interview with The Times, contradict earlier reports from The Guardian suggesting West Ham needed to raise €115 million (£100m) to offset the financial impact of relegation. He emphasized that the club’s priority is immediate promotion back to the Premier League and retaining a competitive squad to achieve that goal. “We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons,” Kretinsky said. “Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together.”
The situation at West Ham has been further complicated by a recent change in ownership structure. BBC Sport reported that Kretinsky has agreed a deal to become the club’s largest shareholder following allegations of misconduct against former co-chair David Sullivan, who has stepped down from his position. Kretinsky and fellow shareholder Vanessa Gold released a statement expressing concern regarding the allegations and support for those who came forward.
Meanwhile, West Ham are reportedly on the verge of selling midfielder Mateus Fernandes to Manchester United for a fee of approximately €92 million (£80m), according to The Times. Fernandes, like Bowen, was a standout performer for West Ham last season and has also been linked with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid.
Chelsea, under newly appointed manager Xabi Alonso, are seeking to strengthen their squad this summer. However, they also face potential departures, with Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez reportedly expressing concerns about the club’s direction before Alonso’s arrival. Cucurella is attracting attention from Spanish clubs, while Fernandez has previously indicated a desire to play in Madrid. West Ham have confirmed that Nuno Espirito Santo will remain as manager for their Championship campaign, reaffirming the club’s commitment to a swift return to the Premier League.
