West Ham faced a summer of uncertainty following their relegation to the Championship, but things are beginning to take shape for the club.

Daniel Křetínský is set to gain more control over the club, and Nuno Espírito Santo will continue as manager, ending speculation last month.

Since then, the focus has shifted to providing the former Wolves manager with a squad capable of winning promotion, and there was good news on that front this week when skipper Jarrod Bowen revealed he would not be leaving the club during the summer transfer window.

Jarrod Bowen’s release clause revealed in his new West Ham deal

Bowen, 29, has already earned his place as a West Ham icon, having shone for the Hammers in the Premier League over the years and scoring the goal in the Conference League final.

So, even if he had departed, he would have done so with the approval of many, but Bowen demonstrated his commitment to West Ham by signing a new deal.

Further specifics on the deal have been revealed, with The Athletic stating that Bowen has a release clause that could be activated in the summer of 2027 if West Ham fail to earn promotion.

In addition, Bowen will receive a’significant extra’ if the Irons return to the Premier League on their first attempt.

Jarrod Bowen will be important to West Ham’s promotion chances this season.

First and foremost, this is good news for West Ham, as Bowen’s departure seemed inevitable after relegation was confirmed.

He has established himself as a solid Premier League player throughout the years, and you could argue that he belongs in the squads of the vast majority of top-flight clubs.

So, you can’t overstate how significant this is for West Ham, and Bowen will undoubtedly be the biggest name in the Championship next season.

In terms of the contract, this will not come as a big surprise. When it comes to this, there needs to be some give and take, and a release clause to ensure Bowen can leave without too much fuss is reasonable, as long as West Ham do not improve.

In that case, the Londoners may need to cash in as well, as Bowen will remain a valuable asset, and another year away from the Premier League will have additional financial ramifications.

Similarly, Bowen could have probably got a larger contract from a Premier League club this summer, so it stands to reason that if they do win promotion, he will be financially rewarded with a significant bonus.

This just highlights how essential it is for West Ham to win promotion, as so much is at stake for the club’s future, but the hierarchy deserves a lot of credit for convincing Bowen to remain.

This will have a knock-on effect, as potential new signings will see West Ham’s desire in keeping a player of Bowen’s calibre.

So it’s up to Nuno to continue strengthening his squad, but having Bowen as a major member of the group will significantly improve their chances of bouncing back at the first attempt.