Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse would be a ‘really, really good’ signing for West Ham United but former Premier League coach Rene Meulensteen would not be surprised to see the London club turn to a more affordable target.
After seeing a second bid worth £30 million rejected by the Saints this week, are West Ham really – as talkSPORT and others have suggested – walking away from one of David Moyes’ top targets?
Or is this merely a negotiating tactic? We saw Manchester United do something similar before finally bartering down a fee with Chelsea for Mason Mount, and perhaps West Ham feel that – by threatening to end their interest in James Ward-Prowse – Southampton will be more open to a compromise.
As things stand, there is a £10 million gap in the valuations of both clubs.
West Ham’s James Ward-Prowse pursuit in limbo
Meulensteen, meanwhile, wonders if reports suggesting West Ham are ready to turn their back on Ward-Prowse suggests that Moyes and co have another, potentially more affordable, midfielder in their sights.
“With West Ham having sold (Declan) Rice for quite some money, I think Ward-Prowse would be a really, really good move,” Meulensteen, who worked alongside Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, tells talkSPORT (3 August, 11am).
“But to make the blunt statement (about potentially walking away) gives me the hint that they might have another target we don’t know of yet. They might think; ‘this is what we are going to offer Southampton. And, if they don’t take it, we are going to go for other options’.”
Southampton director Jason Wilcox did admit last week that the Saints would ‘consider’ selling Ward-Prowse if West Ham meet the club’s asking price.
Frustration is growing regarding the slow pace of progress, however; the Hammers the only Premier League club yet to sign a new player during the summer of 2023.
West Ham have reportedly had a bid rejected by Chelsea for Connor Gallagher too. They also appear no closer to signing the likes of Scott McTominay, Denis Zakaria or Edson Alvarez.
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