West Ham United are reportedly keen on signing James Ward-Prowse, valued at £45 million by Southampton, this summer.
A report from Football Insider claims that West Ham United have now made progress in talks to sign James Ward-Prowse. And they are currently in pole position to sign the Southampton captain, whose price tag is £45 million.
Southampton have been relegated to the Championship following a disappointing campaign, and they are likely to lose a number of key players this summer. Recent reports have also linked key midfielder Romeo Lavia with a move away from St. Mary’s amid links with Liverpool.
James Ward-Prowse has been a reliable performer for Southampton in the top flight over the years, and he might look to leave the club in the coming weeks. The English international is too good for the Championship, and he will want to return to the top flight immediately.
Ideally, Southampton will want to hold down to their charismatic captain. But they are powerless to stop him from leaving after their relegation. West Ham United are keen on signing the 28-year-old, who is valued at £45 million. It remains to be seen whether the Hammers are prepared to pay that kind of money for him.
The 28-year-old will add goals and creativity to their midfield and he is exceptional from set pieces as well. He scored 11 goals across all competitions last season. So it is hardly surprising why West Ham United are keen on signing him.
David Beckham has scored the most number of free-kicks in the Premier League with 18, and Ward-Prowse currently stands one shy of that record with 17. Meanwhile, the Hammers will be competing in the UEFA Europa League next season, and they need a better-quality squad to do well in Europe.
Someone like Ward-Prowse would relish the chance of showcasing his qualities in European football with West Ham. It would be a major step up in his career and the player is likely to be tempted. Meanwhile, West Ham sanctioned the departure of Declan Rice earlier this summer, and they have the proceeds from his sale to reinvest in the squad.
They need to improve their midfield significantly and they certainly have the finances to get a deal for Ward-Prowse done. The reported £45 million asking price might seem steep. But the Southampton captain is a proven performer in the Premier League and should be able to make an instant impact next season.
