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Chelsea receive daunting transfer message in Jarrod Bowen pursuit
14 Jun 2026 11:43 CDT |
5 min read
News
Chelsea may have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Jarrod Bowen after West Ham United shareholder Daniel Kretinsky said the club do not need to sell their best players "for financial reasons" this summer.
Bowen has been linked with a move away from the Hammers following their relegation from the Premier League last season, with The Guardian claiming Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are keen on his services.
The 29-year-old was a shining light in an otherwise torrid season for West Ham, scoring nine goals and registering 11 assists as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side missed out on top-flight survival to Tottenham Hotspur.
Current ETV
Jarrod Bowen
F, M (R)
West Ham
Jarrod Bowen
F, M (R)
West Ham
ETV Range
€31.5M - €38.5M
However, in an interview with The Times, Czech billionaire Kretinsky is adamant West Ham do not need to cash in on their biggest assets this summer, despite The Guardian claiming they needed to raise €115million (£100m) in order to cope without the Premier League’s riches.
“We have a very credible strategy,” Kretinsky told The Times. “We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.
"Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together. What matters is funding, strategy and consistency. We have spoken to all of them. They need to see that our project is real and serious. Promotion is our only goal."
BBC Sport reported on Saturday that Kretinsky has struck a deal with Vanessa Gold to become West Ham’s biggest shareholder after allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour were levelled against David Sullivan by a joint BBC Panorama and Times investigation.
Sullivan announced at the start of June that he was stepping down from his position as West Ham co-chair and director with immediate effect after being made aware that he is the subject of “serious historic allegations."
STATS
Jarrod Bowen
F, M (R)
West Ham
Jarrod Bowen
F, M (R)
West Ham
Kretinsky, whose stake in West Ham is set to rise from 27 per cent to 43 per cent, exceeding Sullivan's 38.8 per cent, said he was “deeply concerned” about the allegations in a statement published by BBC Sport.
“Our thoughts go out to those women who have fought so hard to make their voices heard,” Kretinsky and Gold said in the statement. “Any abuse of power is abhorrent, and it takes great courage and determination to speak up against it.”
West Ham star Fernandes poised for big-money Man Utd move
Meanwhile, The Times also reported on Friday that West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is poised to join Manchester United in a deal worth a reported €92m (£80m).
Fernandes, like Bowen, was one of the Irons’ standout players in 2025-26, with widespread reports indicating Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also keen on his signature.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are looking to back Xabi Alonso in the transfer market following the Spaniard's appointment in May.
However, the Blues are facing a battle to keep hold of Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez, with the star duo having expressed their concerns over the direction of the club before Alonso was named manager.
The Athletic understands Cucurella is being monitored by La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, while Fernandez has been also been linked with Real having previously said he would like to live in Madrid.
West Ham confirm Nuno will remain as manager for next season
West Ham announced earlier in June that Nuno will remain as manager for the 2026-27 season, despite the club returning to the Championship for the first time since 2011.
An official club statement read: “The football operation always has to be our first priority and the planning for next season started as soon as the final whistle sounded on Sunday.
“We held meetings with Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo early this week and are pleased to confirm that he has expressed his continued commitment to the club -- as we have to him.
“Nuno made it very clear that he is highly motivated for the challenge of guiding West Ham United back to the top flight at the first time of asking. That must be the unquestionable goal for next season.”
