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Sources: West Ham confident of landing James Ward-Prowse at £15m discount
West Ham are confident of getting a deal done for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse this month, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (2 August) that the Saints captain remains a top target for David Moyes side despite reports suggesting they have walked away from negotiations.
At present, the deal is being held up by West Ham – who are unwilling to meet Southampton’s £40million valuation.
It is believed the Irons are only willing to submit a bid worth an initial £25million and supplemented by further add-ons.
Nevertheless, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that West Ham are confident of wrapping up a move for Ward-Prowse close to their valuation as the final month of the window dwindles.
The player himself is keen on the move and wants to return to the Premier League ahead of next year’s (2024) European Championships.
David Moyes is a big fan of Ward-Prowse and is desperate to add his quality to a West Ham midfield which has lost the talents of Declan Rice in a British-record move to Arsenal this summer.
Ward-Prowse, who is Southampton’s captain, played every Premier League game in the 2022-23 campaign and has racked up 343 total top-flight appearances since making his debut in 2012.
The 11-cap England international, who has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading set-piece specialists, is under contract at St Mary’s Stadium until June 2026.
He was relegated with Southampton to the Championship last season and could be in second-tier action on Friday (4 August) in the club’s season opener away at Sheffield Wednesday.
In other news, Man United to sell West Ham target to highest bidder.