West Ham’s £22million move for Jarrod Bowen is ‘not a gamble’, according to one of his former managers.
The 23-year-old playmaker scored 17 goals and recorded six assists in 32 games in all competitions for Hull this season.
That has led to intense speculation regarding his future, with Bowen now seemingly set for a move to the Hammers after beating off competition from Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
Bowen had a medical with the east London club on Friday morning, with a view to the deal being rubber-stamped and announced before the 11pm transfer deadline.
And one man who has the ultimate faith that Bowen will prove to be a success at the London Stadium is Peter Beadle, who was his boss at Hereford.
Beadle handed the then fresh-faced 17-year-old his professional debut and has no doubt he will prove to be a shrewd piece of business by West Ham.
“One of the things we found out with Jarrod very early on in his youth days is that it didn’t take him to long to adapt and acclimatise to playing with better players,” he told Jim White on talkSPORT.
“He outgrew the youth team – it was too easy for him – so we convinced him the first team coaching staff to give him a chance.
“Jarrod eventually found his feet at that level and then we had first-team players coming up to us and telling us he was by far the best player in training!
“West Ham are getting someone who is a proven goalscorer. It’s not a gamble.”
He added: “He’s played in the Championship for two full seasons and scored double figures from a wide area.
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“Lots of players have come into the Premier League previously with massive price tags and not possessed the ability he has. I find it very hard to think he won’t go there and be a success.”
Beadle believes this is just the beginning for Bowen, who will secure another ‘big move’ in the future.
“He’s a real down-to-earth character, honest and hard working. A real team player,” he explained.
“West Ham are getting a fantastic prospect. This won’t be his only big move, they’ll another one after this – mark my words.
“Jarrod is totally focused on his football and he’ll continue to keep on improving in the years to come.”
