Danny Dyer, a well-known British actor and devoted West Ham fan, has named the only two clubs he would accept Jarrod Bowen leaving West Ham for.
Bowen has been a standout performer for West Ham in what has been a challenging season for the team.
Bowen, 28, has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 23 Premier League games this season.
This season is also his first as club captain, taking over after Kurt Zouma’s departure.
The forward’s impressive performances have led to discussions about him being among the Premier League’s best players.
Dyer, soon to be Bowen’s father-in-law, believes only two clubs would be suitable for the former Hull City player.
Dyer, who is a big West Ham supporter, has often expressed his admiration for Bowen, especially since he began dating his daughter, Dani, a reality TV star.
During a talkSPORT interview, Dyer was asked about his feelings if Bowen were to leave, similar to Declan Rice’s move.
Andy Goldstein, the host, asked: “What if he went to Arsenal, how would you feel?”
Dyer responded: “Impossible… he’s not going to do that, is he?”
Goldstein then changed the question, asking: “Actually, not Arsenal – what if Real Madrid came in for him?”
The idea of Real Madrid was enough for Dyer to admit that Bowen would “have to go”.
He said: “Real Madrid? Well then he’s got to go, hasn’t he? Real Madrid, yeah, for sure.”
Real Madrid wasn’t the only team Dyer would consider acceptable.
Darren Bent suggested Manchester City, the current Premier League champions.
Dyer agreed that he would be happy for Bowen to move there, though it would “hurt”.
He said: “City? Listen, it’s his career.”
“I wouldn’t mind City, I’d suffer that – it would hurt, I’m not going to lie it would hurt me, but he’s a grown man, he makes his own decisions.”
“Obviously it would hurt, but of course, I’d be over the moon for him.”
Bowen recently extended his contract with West Ham in October 2023, committing to the club until 2030.
This season, he scored his 50th Premier League goal for West Ham since joining from Hull in January 2020.
Dyer has previously stated that he wouldn’t trade Bowen for any other player in football.
He told GOAL: “Father of my grandchildren, I can’t tell you how that makes me feel.”
“West Ham is my one true love and to have the captain part of my family, my blood now… He’s brilliant. He’s our man.”
“The fact he broke his foot the other week, was out for six weeks, comes back and scores against Chelsea. Gets the ball, slips it round, we were unlucky that game. Build a statue now for the man.”
“To score the winning goal in a European final, in the 92nd minute, when he’s one on one he scores.”
“He’s already a legend. He will be our all-time top scorer.”
“I wouldn’t swap Bowen for anyone. He’s very underrated. In my eyes he’s as good as Saka, if not better. Does the same stuff.”
“I know Arsenal fans will say ‘what are you talking about’. He’s got it all.”
“And he can play No.9, you can’t put Saka No.9, he’ll get lost. Jarrod is a class above everybody.”
Bowen and Dani started dating in October 2021 and have twin daughters, Summer and Star, who are 22 months old.
