James Ward-Prowse West Ham United medical update amid ‘full agreement’ on Southampton transfer – Dharmesh Sheth
James Ward-Prowse’s West Ham medical will start on Thursday (10 August) after “full agreement” was reached on his move, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Sky Sports journalist reported via Twitter Wednesday that the 28-year-old would begin his tests the following day having agreed personal terms with the Hammers.
The Southampton captain is set to make a £30million move to join Edson Alvarez at the London Stadium, with Sheth reporting earlier the same day that agreement had been reached between the two clubs on improved payment terms for the Saints, despite a previous bid of the same amount being rejected.
The Englishman is set to become the second signing of the summer after Mexican international Alvarez, and could soon be joined by Harry Maguire from Manchester United, with a £30m agreement also reached for the defender [Guardian, 9 August].
Almost done
West Ham have left it late but look like they have finally secured the duo who they feel are the answer to Declan Rice’s exit.
Assuming there are no unforeseen late hitches with the medical, and nothing can be ruled out until the deal is officially signed and announced, Ward-Prowse will be partnered with Alvarez in the middle this season.
Whether the pair will both be sealed and ready to start the opening game of the season at Bournemouth on Saturday (12 August) remains to be seen, with the late nature of this business putting that in doubt.
The breakthrough to land Ward-Prowse will come as a significant boost to manager David Moyes, with the Premier League veteran a key target for the Scot.
And after Alvarez was brought in from Europe in what looks like it was a Tim Steidten decision it represents one back for Moyes to get one of his domestic priorities in.
He isn’t without headaches still as he has a gap to fill up front after Gianluca Scamacca’s exit, and may have another one as Lucas Paqueta suddenly looks close to a Manchester City move.
But in terms of incoming business the second man should be at the club within 24-hours for testing.
In other West Ham news, there is also another key man pushing to get out of the club before the deadline.