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According to actor Danny Dyer, West Ham United’s captain Jarrod Bowen has reached a decision regarding his future following the club’s painful relegation from the Premier League. Despite drawing significant attention from top-flight sides such as Liverpool and Aston Villa, Bowen appears ready to lead the Hammers’ push for promotion in the Championship.

Dyer provides update on Bowen’s plans

Dyer, a well-known actor and devoted West Ham fan, shared a crucial update on his son-in-law’s future. Since the end of West Ham’s 14-year spell in the Premier League, Bowen has been at the centre of transfer rumours. However, speaking at the charity event ‘A Match for Emilee’, Dyer suggested that the 29-year-old winger does not intend to leave east London.

“He’s a very great, loyal man,” Dyer told talkSPORT. “First and foremost, he’s my family – the father of my grandchildren. It’s been tough for him. He truly deserves Champions League football, and whatever decision he made, I would have supported him. But I don’t think he’s going anywhere. I expect him to dominate the Championship, you can count on that.”

Bowen committed despite Premier League interest

The revelation will disappoint several Premier League clubs closely tracking Bowen’s situation. The England international was reportedly a target for Liverpool as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah, while Aston Villa and Everton were also keen on signing him. Yet, despite the appeal of staying in the top division, Bowen’s loyalty to West Ham seems unwavering, according to Dyer.

The forward has already faced the painful reality of relegation, expressing his “embarrassment and pain” in a heartfelt message to West Ham supporters at the London Stadium. His determination to restore pride to the club appears stronger than the temptation of a move to a Champions League contender.

West Ham determined to retain their captain

The club’s hierarchy, led by co-owner Daniel Kretinsky, has maintained a clear stance that their key players must be retained to ensure a swift return to the Premier League. Although West Ham have approved an £85 million transfer of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, holding on to Bowen is viewed as essential for team morale during this transitional phase.

Bowen, who remains under contract with the club until 2030, has already been featured in promotional content for West Ham’s new home kit — a move often seen as an indicator of a player staying. For Kretinsky and the Hammers’ faithful, seeing Bowen lead the team against Championship opposition provides a sense of optimism after a disappointing 2025-26 season.

Life in the Championship awaits the Hammers

West Ham last played in the second tier during the 2011-12 season, making this drop particularly painful. Dyer admitted, “What hurts the most is that it was down to us and Tottenham, of all clubs. I’ve supported West Ham for most of my life, so heartbreak is nothing new. We had that brief spell of joy when we won a cup, and now we’re back to heartbreak again. It’s been 15 years since we were relegated.”

Despite the disappointment of last season, Dyer remains optimistic that Bowen can guide the club back to the Premier League at the first opportunity. “I don’t quite know what to expect from our club now. I think we need a reset, a fresh start. It’ll be nice to see us winning some matches again, that’s for sure.”

West Ham are set to start their new campaign on August 8 in the Carabao Cup, facing Portsmouth in their first competitive fixture of the season.