West Ham United close to securing gifted midfielder

Reports suggest that West Ham United, managed by David Moyes, are determined to secure the signing of Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

According to The Daily Mail, West Ham has expressed keen interest in acquiring James Ward-Prowse during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Although the Hammers’ initial bid of £17 million with £3 million in add-ons for Ward-Prowse was rejected, they are not giving up and are preparing a second offer, likely to be higher, for the 28-year-old English midfielder.

The exact amount of West Ham’s renewed bid is not mentioned in The Daily Mail’s report. However, it is evident that they are serious about strengthening their squad with Ward-Prowse’s talents.

Back in February 2022, former Tottenham Hotspur forward Garth Crooks praised Ward-Prowse as a “gifted midfielder” on BBC Sport.

Southampton faced relegation from the Premier League and will be playing in the Championship in the upcoming season, while West Ham secured a place in the UEFA Europa League after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League last season.

Considering West Ham’s ambitions to challenge for a top-eight position in the Premier League, the club’s appeal to Ward-Prowse may be further boosted by the opportunity to play for a prominent team and participate in European competitions.

To date, James Ward-Prowse has made 343 appearances in the Premier League, showcasing his abilities as a midfielder with 49 goals and 38 assists throughout his career.