West Ham United ready multi-million James Ward-Prowse bid with Declan Rice exit news on Friday
West Ham United are readying a £25m bid for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, according to Daily Mail journalist Simon Jones.
Writing in his “Window Watch” Daily Mail column (14 July, page 72), Jones reported the Hammers expect the paperwork for Declan Rice’s transfer to Arsenal to be finalised on Friday after the two clubs a full agreement over the £105 million transfer over a week ago.
The Hammers have identified several midfield targets over the past weeks, and Southampton’s free-kick merchant Ward-Prowse is said to be a top target, with the Saints wanting top dollar to consider selling him, despite their Championship plight.
Great option
Given his experience and expertise at Premier League level, Ward-Prowse is a superb bet for West Ham United in their attempts to fill the expected Rice avoid.
Certainly, the St Mary’s favourite shouldn’t be considered a direct Rice replacement, but he’s certainly a worthy shout in the Hammers solidifying their midfield rebuild this summer, and David Moyes could well sign three midfielders this summer.
It’s a real surprise the 28-year-old is still a Southampton player right now, but that says much about his loyalty as much as any club’s inability to get him to move, although he is on £100,000-a-week guaranteed.
The England international is a technically gifted midfield player, capable of fulfilling desperate needs in West Ham’s engine room next season and if Moyes can complete a deal to sign Ward-Prowse, along with Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria and proper defensive midfield option, the Hammers are well on course to compete on all fronts in the forthcoming campaign.
It’s time West Ham United show their ambition in the market.
In other West Ham news, Sky Sports share positive West Ham talks to seal new defensive transfer