‘Ship has sailed’ for West Ham United Phenomenal to sign for Liverpool and replace Mohamed Salah
The Hammers star has had an outstanding start to the season, with four goals and one assist in six Premier League outings. If Salah departs for Saudi Arabia in January, the Reds are rumored to be interested in signing him.
But because he will turn 27 in January and Liverpool’s policy is typically to sign attackers aged 25 or under, journalist Jones feels the “ship has sailed” on that move in a piece for the Daily Briefing on Substack (27 September).
“Jarrod Bowen impressed with a goal for West Ham against Liverpool at the weekend, and he is a player Liverpool admire, and have done for some time,” the man stated.
He was specifically considered as a prospective signing a couple of years ago, and of course as a left-footer who plays on the right, scores and produces at a respectable rate, he’s definitely a choice worth taking into account given the concerns about Mo Salah’s long-term future.
But even though he won’t be old at all—he’ll be 27 in January—I would anticipate the Reds to be looking for guys a little younger, with a little more promise and longevity at the highest level. When they moved to Anfield, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Salah, and Sadio Mane were all 25 or younger, and I anticipate that policy to continue in the future.
“Bowen is a fine player, and he may very well have a move to a top-six club in him, but I suspect the ship has sailed as far as Liverpool are concerned.”
Their loss
You won’t find a single West Ham fan complaining if this is the view that Liverpool and their fans want to take about the potential signing of Bowen.
A left-footed right winger who is at the top of his game is very difficult to find, but replacing Mo Salah is going to be an incredibly difficult thing for them to do and Bowen would no doubt be a big candidate for the position.
But West Ham have shown that they won’t be bullied in the transfer market after holding out for £105m for Declan Rice, and refusing to give in to Lucas Paqueta’s wishes to go to Manchester City without getting a fee they deemed adequate.
There’s no doubt that Bowen is capable of making that step up to a Champions League-aspiring club, but the Hammers would ensure they got top dollar for him and Liverpool aren’t exactly stacked for cash.
It’s a non-starter right now because West Ham won’t entertain a sale anyway as it stands, but it’s definitely one to keep an eye on if Salah does end up leaving.
