David Moyes has now decided where Jarrod Bowen will play if West Ham United agree on the signing of Cole Palmer in the transfer of Lucas Paqueta to join Manchester City.
That is according to The Guardian, which reports that Moyes has already drawn up tactics to include Bowen and Palmer. The West Ham boss is urging Manchester City to let the 21-year-old move to London Stadium in an attempt to soften the anticipated blow of selling Paqueta.
Hammers chiefs have accepted that they face losing Paqueta with Pep Guardiola targeting a transfer. But the Irons have, so far, rebuffed Manchester City’s pursuit as West Ham rejected an opening bid worth £70m. Although the setback is likely to become just a stumbling block.
West Ham have asked Manchester City to include Palmer in Paqueta’s transfer
West Ham acknowledge that it could be counterproductive to keep Paqueta against his wish to join Manchester City. So, the Hammers have asked the Citizens about including Palmer as a makeweight. Initial talks between the two teams have so far focused on a likely loan deal.
The Etihad Stadium natives would be more inclined to sell the England Under-21 playmaker outright should he leave, however. Brighton & Hove Albion are also showing interest in his possible availability. Palmer caught the eye by scoring a great goal in the Community Shield.
How does Moyes plan to use both Palmer and Bowen at London Stadium?
Manchester City and West Ham agreeing on a deal for Palmer to switch to east London with Paqueta’s transfer will raise question marks about Bowen’s place. The Citizens product, who Paul Dickov and Shaun Wright-Phillips both call ‘outstanding’, is mainly a right-sided winger.
But Moyes has already established plans to include both Palmer and Bowen in West Ham’s line-up. The Scot envisages using the left-footed Palmer on the right flank and then moving Bowen into a central position. He is confident that the two can feature in the same line-up.
Bowen has previously occupied centre-forward roles for Moyes and has impressed in some of those outings. To date, the right-forward has featured 22 times as a striker for West Ham and returned nine goals plus four assists. Palmer has five goals in 40 senior appearances.
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