Jarrod Bowen puts an end to Newcastle United rumours

Newcastle United have long been linked with a strong interest in West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen.

The Magpies almost signed the England winger before he went to West Ham. Bowen had even made it as far as Wetherby services on his way to meet with Newcastle before Mike Ashley pulled the plug on the deal after refusing to cough up £14 million plus another £6 million in bonuses for a player with no Premier League experience. Good job, Mike.

That was under Steve Bruce, but even under Eddie Howe, Newcastle have consistently been credited with an interest in Bowen, and when West Ham were relegated last season, there was a feeling that the Magpies would swoop.

Despite being 29 years old and therefore outside of Newcastle's ideal recruitment age bracket, there was still a belief that Newcastle would bend their own rules to bring the England man to St James' Park in a cut-price deal.

Newcastle will not be signing Jarrod Bowen

Nothing ever came directly from the club suggesting there was a concrete interest, but now any hopes of seeing Bowen in black and white have been thoroughly dashed.

The Hammers and Jarrod Bowen have announced today that he will be staying with the bubble blowers to help them get out of the Championship at the first time of asking.

"The main motivation for me is staying and bringing this club back into the Premier League where we belong. There was always going to be rumours, there was always going to be different things going on, and for me, I think it was only right to speak when the time's right."

Bowen may be available again next year

It seems as though it's a case of his existing contract being amended rather than being offered an entirely new deal. Bowen has committed to West Ham for the upcoming season, but may have an escape route should West Ham fail to gain promotion.

By next summer, Bowen will be 30, and we can't see Newcastle going in for him at that point unless there's another change to the transfer strategy.

Newcastle could do with a right-sided forward as backup for Anthony Elanga, who looked extra sharp at the World Cup but is yet to prove himself for Newcastle. Bowen would have been a great signing, even at his age, but hopefully the club is working on a surprise addition for this role.