Southampton expect another West Ham United bid for James Ward-Prowse transfer after twist
Southampton are expecting West Ham United to submit a third bid for James Ward-Prowse despite the Hammers threatening to walk away from the transfer, according to the Sun.
The newspaper reported on their website on Wednesday (2 August) that David Moyes is still pushing for the Irons to sign the 28-year-old midfielder, despite rumours that talks had reached a stalemate due to a difference in each club’s valuation of the player.
As talks stalled between the two sides, West Ham had threatened to walk away from any potential deal and instead shift their focus to other targets, but the Saints still expect a third bid to arrive for their captain.
Writing their transfer news live blog: the Sun said: “David Moyes is still pushing for West Ham to sign James Ward-Prowse despite West Ham’s threat to walk away from a deal. The Hammers have seen two bids rejected by Southampton for the midfielder, with the east Londoners reluctant to go above £25 million.
“Southampton, however, value their captain at close to £40m, with the 28-year-old having three years remaining on his current deal on the south coast. Talks have been described as hitting a stalemate with West Ham threatening to walk away and pursue other targets, though Southampton are still expecting a third offer this week.”
Decision time
There have been various suggestions in the last few days that Moyes and those in charge at the London Stadium are at odds over their transfer business this summer, and this contradicting approach between the manager and those behind the scenes appears to be evident in this deal.
Moyes wants Ward-Prowse in his midfield this coming season, no matter how much it costs and it feels as though a £40m fee would be a fair price, had Southampton not been relegated last season. But spending that amount of money on a Championship player is almost unheard of, especially for a team outside of the big six.
The Irons need to get moving in the transfer window, especially with the new season drawing closer with each passing day, they need to decide on a target and find a way of getting them through the door. Moyes seems to have decided Ward-Prowse is the man for him, so the club should get him his man.
Especially when the former Everton boss has more than earnt their trust, winning a European competition last year and seeing the Irons return to the Europa League. He is entitled to pick his transfer targets, especially as he played such a crucial role in Declan Rice’s development, which earned the club £105m this summer.
It will be interesting to see who wins the battle within East London, but it feels as though the club should back the man in charge.
In other West Ham news, Inter Milan have entered the race for Gianluca Scamacca’s signature