Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed that captain James Ward-Prowse is ‘leaving the club’ after Premier League West Ham United agreed a £30 million deal for the Saints skipper.
Saturday’s top-flight opener against AFC Bournemouth will come too soon for either James Ward-Prowse or Harry Maguire, but matchday two could see a number of new faces make their claret-and-blue bow.
West Ham United, according to The Athletic, have agreed £30 million deals for both England internationals.
David Moyes confirmed at his pre-match press conference that Magure was likely to be on his way. Ward-Prowse will not be far behind, Southampton’s own manager indicating that a tear-jerking farewell is also imminent.
West Ham to sign James Ward-Prowse
“I think it’s a difficult one for Prowsey,” Martin told Hampshire Live on Friday. “I’ve been working with him for six weeks. I’ve been immensely impressed with him as a character and as a professional and as a person and as a player.
“We had a really good chat on Wednesday. He’s really emotional about leaving his club. Which shows how much he cares and how difficult it will be for him if it all goes through.
“I think he would have really liked it to end on a different way with the club in the Championship.”
Arguably the best set-piece taker in Europe let alone England; Ward-Prowse scored nine goals and set up four more even as Southampton finished bottom of the table in 2022/23.
Martin, meanwhile, insists that his desire to feature for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side again ahead of Euro 2024 was a driving force in his decision to depart his boyhood club.
“It’s a real personal ambition to be in the Premier League, to force himself in the England squad,” the former Swansea boss adds. “To break some records in the Premier League.
“So I think he leaves here with an incredible legacy in terms of the relationships he has with people and how everyone feels about him.”
Ward-Prowse set up Che Adams’ winner in last week’s 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. A game which is likely to be his final league appearance for the club.
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