James Ward-Prowse could make West Ham United debut v Bournemouth as new timeline emerges – Sky Sports
James Ward-Prowse must be registered by West Ham by midday on Friday (11 August) in order to be available for the match against Bournemouth on Saturday (12 August), according to Sky Sports.
The publication reported on Thursday (10 August) that the Southampton midfielder is expected to start his Hammers medical on Friday.
The East London outfit get their new Premier League campaign underway against the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium.
“James Ward-Prowse will travel to London later today and is expected to start his West Ham medical tomorrow ahead of his £30m move from Southampton,” according to Sky Sports.
“Personal terms have been agreed with the 28-year-old. Ward-Prowse has to be registered by midday on Friday to be available for Saturday’s game at Bournemouth.”
Top signing
Everyone associated with West Ham – from manager David Moyes to every supporter – will be desperate to see Ward-Prowse in action against Bournemouth.
He will provide the Hammers with a touch of class in midfield in terms of passing and breaking up the play, with his superb set-piece ability needing no introduction.
But the East London club have no real need to rush things, with getting the medical over the line in the appropriate way perhaps the most important issue right now.
It will, of course, be a bonus if he is registered before the Friday midday deadline, but he is a long-term signing, and will be key in most other matches this season, both domestically and in Europe.
Replacing former Hammers captain and star midfielder Declan Rice will be a huge challenge for the Saints man, but he is more than capable of filling that gap at the London Stadium for many years to come.
In other West Ham news, former Hammers star Rice has reacted to Gianluca Scamacca’s exit from the London Stadium.