West Ham United are reportedly preparing to make a second bid for Southampton captain and free-kick maestro James Ward-Prowse, who is close to breaking a Premier League record.
According to Daily Mail, West Ham are set to make an improved offer for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse after their opening proposal worth £17 million plus £3 million in add-ons was turned down.
Ward-Prowse has been at Southampton for his entire career and played 11 seasons in the Premier League at St. Mary’s. The 28-year-old has racked up 55 goals and 53 assists in 409 appearances since making his Saints debut on the opening day of the 2012/13 season.
However, he is expected to move on this summer after their relegation from the English top-flight last term, with new manager Russell Martin shaping a squad for a Championship promotion bid. It is thought that he had an agreement with the club to leave if they were relegated. But he still has three years remaining on his contract, which expires in June 2026.
There has been no shortage of interest in the 28-year-old England international, with no fewer than 10 top-flight clubs lodging enquiries. But it is West Ham who delivered the first blow with an offer in the region of £20 million, including add-ons.
However, Southampton chiefs deemed the opening proposal far too low. The Hammers considered offering Flynn Downes in part exchange to sweeten the deal for Ward-Prowse, who has three years left on his contract at Southampton. But the Saints rejected that approach as well and only want a straight cash deal.
After failing to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea, they are seeking to sign another homegrown player, and it’s highly likely they will return with an improved bid for Ward-Prowse. West Ham are eyeing some serious talent to sign in the transfer window, and why not? The Irons have recently sold their star man, Declan Rice, to Arsenal for £105 million, and they, thus, have a huge hole to fill in their midfield.
With another season in Europe around the corner, it is only right that they only make high-quality additions. Ward-Prowse is capable of fulfilling the recently vacated No. 6 role but can also offer more going forward in addition to being a dead-ball specialist, which sees him just one shy of equalling legend David Beckham’s record for most direct free-kicks in the English top-flight (18).
Aside from Ward-Prowse, the Irons are continuing parallel talks with Edson Alvarez, Denis Zakaria, Joao Palhinha, and Scott McTominay as they look to add at least two midfielders this summer.
