‘If we get the right offer…’ – Club chief expects new West Ham bid

Southampton’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, has officially confirmed that the club has rejected a bid from West Ham for their midfielder, James Ward-Prowse.

According to a report by the Sun, the Hammers’ offer of £25 million for the 28-year-old was turned down during the current week.

Wilcox, who joined St Mary’s last summer but continued to fulfill his duties as a Manchester City employee until January, has now validated the rejection of the bid.

He emphasized that Southampton is not under any pressure to sell their captain, indicating a desire to retain the influential player.

“If we get the right offer – we will consider it. Consider is an important word because we don’t have to sell, we’ve got a lot of asset value and it’s about how we rebuild the squad,” Wilcox told SunSport.

And the 52-year-old has suggested David Moyes’ side will return with an improved offer, adding, “I think when a club makes an offer, very rarely is it their full and final offer.”

Southampton is resolute in their stance and won’t relinquish their prized midfielder without putting up a fight, and rightfully so.

James Ward-Prowse has been an integral figure on the South Coast for nearly a decade, remaining loyal to the club since his academy days.

With over 300 Premier League appearances and 49 goals under his belt, he has been an invaluable asset to Southampton.

However, considering the recent relegation to the Championship, it’s plausible that Ward-Prowse might be tempted by a return to the Premier League if a suitable offer is presented to the club.

While West Ham is in dire need of midfield reinforcements, potentially requiring two signings, the pursuit of Ward-Prowse is unlikely to be straightforward.

Having witnessed their initial bid of £25 million being turned down, it appears that West Ham will need to significantly increase their offer, possibly surpassing the £30 million mark.

Securing the deal might prove to be a costly endeavor for the club, but they seem determined to bolster their midfield ranks and are willing to explore further negotiations.