Lopetegui Could Transform Bowen into an Unstoppable Force with £21m “Goal Machine” Transfer – Opinion
Kurt Zouma’s move to Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates has fallen through due to a failed medical examination.
Despite this, the West Ham United defender has been stripped of his captaincy.
Jarrod Bowen will now wear the armband for the 2024/25 season, following his impressive performances as David Moyes’ key attacker.
Bowen, who netted 20 goals across all competitions last season and occasionally played as a center-forward, will now be supported by Niclas Fullkrug, a 31-year-old striker signed from Borussia Dortmund for £27 million.
Fullkrug is a solid addition, but manager Julen Lopetegui is reportedly considering bringing in another striker to complete his attacking options.
West Ham are still eyeing AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, according to Italian outlet il Romanista.
Although the club’s interest seemed to wane after securing Fullkrug, their failure to land Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran might prompt them to pursue Abraham to bolster their attacking depth.
Abraham, who was prolific in Italy before a knee injury limited his impact last season to just one goal and one assist, could be a valuable acquisition for £21 million (€25 million).
Despite Fullkrug’s impressive tally of 16 goals and ten assists for Dortmund last season and his standout performances for Germany at Euro 2024, Michail Antonio’s advancing age and Fullkrug’s own not-so-youthful status highlight the need for additional firepower.
Abraham could provide the consistent scoring threat needed without displacing Bowen from his preferred right wing.
Abraham, praised as a “goal machine” by former coach Stephen Elliott, has accumulated 48 goal contributions in 107 appearances for Roma since joining from Chelsea for £34 million in 2021.
His time at Chelsea demonstrated his Premier League prowess, with 15 goals from just 25 starts in the 2019/20 season and a Champions League victory the following year.
His all-around game, including his link-up play and deceptive footwork, would be a valuable asset for West Ham.
Roma’s captain, Lorenzo Pellegrini, once described Abraham as potentially “one of the best in the world” before his injury woes.
West Ham should consider offering him a chance to regain his form and further his career.
Partnering Abraham with Bowen could be highly effective.
Bowen, now captain, is a versatile forward who excels in various aspects, including assists, progressive carries, and defensive contributions.
Last season, Bowen created 12 big chances and demonstrated his playmaking ability.
Although he could be effective as a center-forward, his skills might be better utilized on the wing with a prolific striker like Abraham complementing his play.
Abraham’s goal-scoring instinct, combined with his physical presence and dynamic movement, would offer a different dimension compared to Fullkrug.
While West Ham have already spent £120 million this transfer window, completing the Abraham deal could provide a crucial boost for their European ambitions and potential silverware.
