West Ham United bid timeframe emerges for James Ward-Prowse at Southampton, Leeds United ace Tyler Adams wanted after
Southampton expect West Ham to “make their move” for James Ward-Prowse this week amid ongoing interest in the midfielder, Mail Plus reports.
The Saints value their star 28-year-old at £40million but the Hammers want to snap him up for closer to £20m after his club were relegated from the Premier League.
There is widespread interest in the Englishman, as their is in his young Belgian teammate Romeo Lavia, and while Southampton would prefer not to sell both this summer they may need to amid an active midfield transfer market.
The Irons are about to see star man Declan Rice leave for Arsenal and are after multiple signings in the middle, with further operators from last season’s Premier League wanted to partner Ward-Prowse next term.
According to Simon Jones for Mail Plus: “Ward-Prowse has had enquiries from around 10 clubs this summer but age has played against a move to the elite ones.
“West Ham, armed with cash from Declan Rice’s sale to Arsenal, want him and a more physical holding midfielder – such as Denis Zakaria of Juventus or Leeds United’s Tyler Adams.”
Haggle
It isn’t going to be easy for West Ham to convince anyone to lower their asking prices this summer after the lengthy saga involving Rice.
While Southampton’s negotiating position is weakened by relegation they will no doubt point to the Irons holding out for £100m-plus to sell Rice, and having managed to secure that from the Emirates will now be seen as cash-rich.
A fee somewhere between the two sides’ numbers on Ward-Prowse is therefore possible, but if his suitors are into double figures it could push the price up should a rival be prepared to put more money on the table.
The same is true of Adams since the Whites also went down but won’t want to let one of their better players go for a huge discount when various others are already leaving on loan.
Zakaria might be the easier option since Juventus had hoped Chelsea would make his loan move permanent and he is seen to be definitely available.
But with a club source denying West Ham are even in for him [Claret & Hugh, 9 July] the midfield picture at the London Stadium has a long way to go before it starts to look clear.
In other West Ham news, a new set of negotiations are expected on Tuesday (11 July) after the Irons “opened up” to exit possibilities for another big-money man.