‘He will leave’: Sky pundit claims West Ham or Tottenham could sign ‘fantastic’ player

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Jobi McAnuff says West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur transfer target James Ward-Prowse will leave Southampton this summer.

The former EFL player and expert questioned the transfer window still being open when the new season has started, as is the case with Southampton in the Championship, as he told Sky Sports. 

Following Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League last season, it was obvious to all that their star players were going to be sought-after and their captain, James Ward-Prowse is no different. 

With Declan Rice leaving West Ham United this summer, it wasn’t a surprise to read reports of David Moyes wanting the 28-year-old on board.

But there are also claims that Tottenham could possibly ‘hijack’ a deal for the set-piece expert. He provided a game-winning assist against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night. 

If Ward-Prowse stays in the Championship, then he will cook the league alive, but McAnuff is now expecting him to go amid those interests from West Ham and Spurs.

“Where is the trade-off in trying to maximise what you are trying to get for a player, which I can understand and then absolutely getting that business done, so Russell Martin can crack on,” said McAnuff. 

“James Ward-Prowse will leave, so from that point of view, a call needs to be made. Yes, you want to get your value. But you have to give Russel Martin, the best chance of succeeding.”

Should Ward-Prowse join West Ham or Tottenham?

First and foremost, the player is at the most crucial part of his career and is now hitting his peak years. He has no time to dwell.

Regular minutes have to be on the menu and the hope he can still take the next step in his career. 

In truth, he gets those regular minutes at both clubs, Rice has left the London Stadium and there is talk of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaving Spurs.

But West Ham can provide Europa League football, which might just edge it – Clinton Morrison backed the ‘fantastic’ player to join the Hammers as well, as he told Sky Sports in July.