Credit: talkSPORT and Imago

Daniel Lewis

Thu 14 May 2026 10:45, UK

James Corden has urged Jarrod Bowen to consider taking a pay cut at West Ham United over joining a team like Everton.

Everton have emerged as possible suitors for Bowen should West Ham drop out of the Premier League over the next week.

The Irons are favourites for the drop with two rounds of fixtures to go, meaning a likely fire sale will be on the cards.

Bowen is arguably West Ham’s most prized asset and has also been linked with Liverpool among others of late.

Everton would clearly love a player of Bowen’s talents at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but the player has been told to not consider it.

Jarrod Bowen exit likely at West Ham

Bowen is a massive fan favourite at the London Stadium and has deep connections to the club, given he is also married to celebrity West Ham superfan Danny Dyer’s daughter.

But the England international must think of his own career, and playing in the Championship – even for just a season – would be a waste.

Everton could have an advantage when it comes to signing Bowen as he has previously worked with Toffees boss David Moyes.

But in the view of celebrity Corden, speaking on talkSPORT, Bowen should only leave West Ham if one of the so-called big boys come calling.

“If I were Jarrod, if Liverpool come in for him or Man United come in for him, he absolutely should go,” Corden said.

“And he should go with every West Ham fan’s blessing because the opportunity to play in the Champions League is something that Jarrod Bowen, I think, cannot give up.

“If the question is, should I leave West Ham and go to Everton, or I don’t know, Brentford, or Newcastle, where you’re not guaranteed Champions League football in any way, shape or form.

“If I were Jarrod Bowen, I’d say to the owners, I’ll take the pay cut, which I think is 40 per cent, something like that.

“I’ll take the pay cut, and I’ll stay, if we come back up, you give it all to me on the day we go up, and I want a new contract.”

Corden does have a point to an extent, with Bowen clearly being good enough to play for a Champions League club, but joining Everton would also make sense.

Bowen would be a regular starter in a team on its way towards those European spots, and a team where he could also become an instant fan favourite like he did at West Ham.

Only one way Everton are going to sign Bowen

Being realistic, Everton know the only real chance they have of signing Bowen – once hailed “unbelievable” by Jurgen Klopp – is if they qualify for one of the European competitions.

The best shot of that is the Europa Conference League, a competition Bowen knows well having won it with West Ham before.

If that is to happen, Everton will likely need to beat both Sunderland and then Tottenham in their remaining two matches.

It is certainly not out of the question, and European football – regardless of which competitions – will give Everton an extra tool to use when negotiating with players.

Regardless of what Corden says, Everton would be a good move for Bowen if he does leave West Ham this summer.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.