Mark Lawrenson has shared that David Moyes told him he wasn’t quite sure about signing Jarrod Bowen for West Ham because he didn’t think he had the pace for the Premier League, as he told Off the Ball.
During the winter transfer window of 2020, West Ham put £20 million on the table for Bowen’s services, as he arrived from Hull City (BBC Sport).
He was one of the first names to be snapped up by the Scotsman, who ended up guiding the then-struggling Hammers to safety, with Bowen playing his part.
Nonetheless, former Liverpool defender Lawrenson, who is a close friend of the West Ham boss, shared what he initially told him about Bowen.
“He brought the boy Bowen from Hull for about £20 million,” said Lawrenson.
“I remember having a conversation with him and he said ‘have you seen him?’ and I said ‘I have seen him a few times. I saw him at Preston play against us’. I said ‘he looks a good player’.
He then said ‘Well, I am not quite sure he has got the pace to play in the Premiership’ and he is a bit like that.
“He does dilly and he does dally. But when he makes his decision. He makes his decision. And Bowen has done extremely well for them.”
Well, Bowen has certainly shown that he does have the pace for the Premier League even if his form has dipped recently.
Not only that, but Moyes has also proven that he is a shrewd businessman in the transfer market because the London club have made some top-quality bargain signings.
From Tomas Soucek to his fellow countryman Coufal, the Hammers are on the up and potentially looking at a European finish at the end of the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
