Shea Charles to Southampton could be boost for West Ham United in Declan Rice replacement search
West Ham could be in for a transfer boost after Southampton confirmed the signature of Shea Charles from Manchester City.
Given the 19-year-old’s superb accomplishments in his brief career so far, the midfielder could be fired straight into the Southampton starting XI next season after joining the club on a four-year deal.
And that could have a knock-on effect at St Mary’s, in that fellow midfielder James Ward-Prowse may now be allowed to leave the newly-relegated club.
As per Football League World (11 July), the Saints are expecting West Ham to “low-ball” them with their incoming bid for their captain fantastic.
The Hammers will soon be in desperate need of a new midfield enforcer amid the impending exit of their own star man Declan Rice, who is closing in on a £105million switch to Arsenal.
Given the fact that Ward-Prowse is contracted to Southampton until 2026, the Championship club will be in no rush to sell their skipper on the cheap, in what is a blow to the Hammers and indeed any other clubs interested in the 28-year-old.
But now that the Saints have signed Charles to bolster their midfield, David Moyes could well make his move for England international Ward-Prowse.
He is clearly too talented to be playing in the Championship next season, but it remains to be seen if the Hammers will stay patient with the Saints.
Time isn’t exactly on the side of the East London club as the new Premier League campaign rapidly approaches and they look for the ideal Rice replacement.
It’s a huge ask filling the boots of the Hammers icon, but Ward-Prowse is more capable than most of becoming a firm favourite at the London Stadium in that crucial midfield role.
In other West Ham news, the transfer stance of a player at one European giant has been explained as Hammers dialogue news emerges.