Erik ten Hag 'identifies Jarrod Bowen as ideal signing for Manchester United'

Incoming Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen to bring West Ham United attacker Jarrod Bowen to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window.

Ten Hag will finish the season at Ajax before officially beginning work with the Red Devils, although the club's plans for the summer market are already believed to be firmly in motion.

A number of players have been linked with moves to the club in recent weeks, although the 20-time English champions could find themselves being priced out of deals for the likes of West Ham's Declan Rice and Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane due to the amount needed to sign them.

According to Fichajes, Bowen has been identified as a low-cost option in the summer market, with Ten Hag believing that he could be the perfect fit for his system.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed an impressive 2021-22 campaign for the Hammers, scoring 16 times and contributing 11 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions.

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In the Premier League, Bowen has 10 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances, while he has played a key role in his side's run to the semi-finals of the Europa League, scoring three times and providing one assist in eight appearances in the European competition.

Since arriving at London Stadium from Hull City in January 2020, the attacker has scored 25 goals and registered 21 assists in 100 appearances for David Moyes's side.

West Ham are in a strong position when it comes to the Englishman's future, as he has a contract with the capital club until June 2025.

The Hammers could find it difficult to keep hold of the forward on a long-term basis, though, as Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the former Hull youngster.

Bowen has largely played as a right-sided attacker at club level this season but has also been used through the middle, starting at centre-forward in the recent league matches with Chelsea and Arsenal.

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Man United are expected to move for a new right-sided forward in the upcoming market, as it has been a problem area for the club over the last few years.

Jadon Sancho was seemingly signed last summer to fill the spot, but the England international has largely played off the left during his first season at Old Trafford due to the struggles of Marcus Rashford.

Ajax's Antony continues to be linked with a move to the Red Devils, but Bowen's familiarity with the Premier League makes him an attractive proposition for the 20-time English champions.

West Ham have allegedly played a £150m valuation on Rice in a bid to warn off potential suitors, and it remains to be seen whether they take a similar stand with Bowen if the interest grows in the coming weeks.

The Englishman has been one of the most effective attackers in the Premier League this season, though, and Ten Hag is allegedly determined to bring him to Manchester ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.