As Mohamed Salah’s legendary Liverpool career enters its final chapter, with the Egyptian icon having just 270 minutes of football remaining at Anfield if he recovers from his hamstring injury, the Reds are actively preparing for life after their record-breaking star.
Salah departs having scored an astonishing 257 goals and lifted eight major trophies in nine unforgettable seasons. While fans ponder whether anyone can truly replace him, Liverpool’s hierarchy is already deep into successor planning. Among the names on their radar, one Premier League-proven forward has been singled out as the ideal fit – and crucially, his club may soon be unable to stand in the way.
Michael Owen’s Bold Recommendation
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has urged the club to move for West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, describing the 29-year-old England international as an “absolute legend” who possesses everything required to thrive at Anfield.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Owen revealed he had already told friends that Bowen would be his top choice to replace Salah – especially if West Ham are relegated.
“How do you know? I have said that to a couple of my mates the other day. I said, if I had one player… Jarrod Bowen’s a legend of a player. West Ham adore the man, and rightly so,” Owen said.
“But if West Ham went down, he would fit for me. I think he’s absolutely brilliant.”
Owen, who worked with Bowen during a striking masterclass for a TV show last season, was left deeply impressed.
“Honestly, left foot, right foot, bang, bang, corners, pace. I mean, a real top finisher. I think he’s a brilliant player. I would be taking him to the World Cup.”
The £60m Reality: West Ham Powerless if They Go Down
Bowen is valued at around £60 million and has long been one of West Ham’s standout performers. Liverpool and Tottenham have both been linked with interest in the versatile attacker, who has also attracted admiring glances from other top clubs.
TEAMtalk sources now reveal the critical detail that could unlock a summer move: if West Ham fail to beat the drop, the club will be powerless to prevent Bowen’s departure.
Despite his deep family ties to the Hammers, remaining in the Championship would be an unrealistic expectation for an England international of Bowen’s calibre. A relegation would effectively force West Ham to cash in on their prized assets, with Bowen, winger Crysencio Summerville, and midfielder Mateus Fernandes potentially generating a combined £160 million.
West Ham currently sit in the bottom three, locked in a tense survival battle with Tottenham. A recent 3-0 defeat at Brentford, combined with Spurs’ victory at Aston Villa, saw them slip back into the relegation zone. This weekend’s fixtures – West Ham hosting Arsenal while Spurs face newly-safe Leeds – could prove decisive.
Survival Means No Sale
Should West Ham secure Premier League status under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the club intends to block all approaches for Bowen and their other key players. Sources indicate they plan to back the manager in the transfer market and retain their best talent rather than sell.
For Liverpool, however, the scenario of West Ham relegation presents a clear opportunity. Bowen’s all-round game – clinical finishing with both feet, set-piece threat, pace, and work rate – aligns closely with what is needed to fill the enormous void left by Salah.
While RB Leipzig’s teenage sensation Yan Diomande remains Liverpool’s primary target, with reports suggesting a player-plus-cash deal involving a £35 million asset could advance negotiations, Owen’s endorsement of Bowen offers a compelling domestic alternative.
The Price to Replace Salah
Whether Liverpool act this summer or not, one thing is clear: the Premier League has produced a ready-made candidate in Jarrod Bowen. If West Ham slip through the trapdoor, his club will have no power to stop a £60 million sale – and Liverpool may be told that this “absolute legend” is the man to keep the goals flowing at Anfield.