West Ham United are entering the new season with a clear need to reinvigorate their squad after a turbulent campaign that saw them finish 14th in the Premier League with 43 points.
The club replaced Julen Lopetegui in January with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and is now tasked with building a squad capable of competing at a higher level.
The Hammers have already undergone significant changes this summer.
Star midfielder Mohamed Kudus was sold to Spurs for £55m, leaving a gap in creativity and attacking threat, while Lucas Paquetá, now cleared of all betting allegations, will be keen to repay the club’s support alongside talisman Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham bid for their new Bowen
West Ham are reportedly pursuing a dynamic winger whose flair and vision make him a potential answer to the team’s attacking needs.
Known for his precise dribbling and natural eye for goal, they have been praised for their ability to create chances both for himself and teammates.
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The player in question is Takefusa Kubo, the Japan international currently at Real Sociedad.
Kubo joined Real Sociedad permanently in July 2022 following a series of loans, having already impressed during his initial spell at the club.
Now, according to reports in Spain, Kubo has formally requested a transfer, citing dissatisfaction with Sociedad’s current sporting direction under president Jokin Aperribay.
Kubo has publicly criticised the club’s lack of investment and reinforcements, asserting that the team is not sufficiently competitive to challenge for Champions League qualification. Despite his discontent, Sociedad’s manager Sergio Francisco still regards Kubo as a key part of the team, underlining the challenge West Ham could face in finalising a deal.
Reports suggest that West Ham are not alone in their pursuit. Other Premier League clubs, including Spurs, Everton, and Bournemouth, are believed to have made offers of £34m.
Named the club’s Player of the Season in 2022/23, Kubo’s contract runs until June 2029, and unless a club triggers his release clause – believed to be just over £50m, – Sociedad may feel little pressure to sell.
How Kubo compares to Bowen
In terms of statistics, Kubo has proven himself a highly productive winger.
In the 2024/25 La Liga season, he played 36 matches, scored five goals, and contributed 45 created chances.
He completed 75 take-ons, registered 14 shots on target, and recorded 129 touches in the opposition box, ranking in the 86th percentile for crosses with 3.32 per 90 minutes.
His ability to progress the ball and involve himself in the attacking build-up has consistently drawn plaudits from analysts and pundits alike.
West Ham’s potential acquisition of Kubo invites natural comparisons to Bowen, the club’s talismanic left-footed winger.
Bowen is renowned for his pace, movement, technical proficiency, and finishing ability.
Predominantly deployed on the right flank, he regularly cuts inside onto his stronger left foot to shoot or link up with teammates.
According to FBref, during his standout 2022/23 season, Kubo averaged 4.32 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to Bowen’s 2.69.
His progressive passes per 90 reached 2.99 versus Bowen’s 1.55, and he averaged 86.3 metres of progressive passing distance per 90, substantially higher than Bowen’s 54.5.
Pass completion rates were similarly competitive, with Kubo at 71% and Bowen at 68.9%.
Kubo also excels in offensive creation. His shot-creating actions per 90 minutes stood at 3.55, compared to Bowen’s 2.42, while his successful take-ons per 90 were 1.81 against Bowen’s 1.01.
Carries per 90 (31.0 vs. 19.9) and touches in the attacking third (27.2 vs. 17.0) further underscore Kubo’s ability to dominate and influence play in the final third.
These metrics illustrate a player capable of a “dangerous 1v1 threat” in the words of data analyst, Ben Mattinson, but also consistently generating opportunities and driving attacks forward – qualities that mirror Bowen’s influence but with a slightly different stylistic nuance.
The two share more than just statistical comparisons; both are left-footed wingers who thrive in spaces between the opposition full-back and centre-back, using pace and intelligent movement to destabilise defences.
Kubo brings a level of unpredictability and technical finesse, while Bowen combines raw speed and goal-scoring instinct.
Integrating Kubo into the West Ham squad could offer Potter a more multidimensional attacking unit, providing options for both direct goal threats and intricate build-up play.
Financially, a deal for Kubo would represent a significant investment, but it could also pay dividends if the winger reaches or surpasses Bowen’s level of consistency.
With Premier League defences increasingly prioritising compactness, a player of Kubo’s ability could prove invaluable, particularly in unlocking tightly packed back lines.
West Ham’s reported interest in Kubo signals their ambition to sustain and potentially elevate their attacking output.
With Bowen already setting the benchmark on the flanks, Kubo’s arrival could introduce a complementary skill set that reinforces the club’s creative identity while adding depth, versatility, and dynamism to the squad.
Should negotiations succeed, the Premier League could witness a fascinating new chapter in West Ham’s offensive evolution.