West Ham ‘set to sign’ Tottenham-linked midfielder as Moyes’ side edge closer to sealing £95m trio | OneFootball

Tottenham and West Ham target James Ward-Prowse of Southampton

According to reports, West Ham United are ‘set to sign’ Southampton and England midfielder James Ward-Prowse, who has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur.

Ward-Prowse was part of the relegated Southampton side last season but he is a proven operator in the Premier League so he was always likely to secure himself a return to the top flight this summer.

The set-piece specialist put in a great performance as Southampton beat Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on the opening day of the 2023/24 Championship season.

He put in this showing while he is being linked with moves to West Ham and Tottenham.

Ward-Prowse has been considered as a potential replacement for Arsenal newbie Declan Rice, who has left for a potential total fee of £105m.

The England international has been valued at £40m this summer and earlier this month West Ham submitted a £30m take-it-or-leave-it bid for the centre-midfielder.

Tottenham have also been linked with Ward-Prowse and it’s been suggested that they are ‘ready’ to move for the Southampton star but they have not lodged an official bid for him at the time of writing.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has now revealed that ‘West Ham have agreed a fee of £30m with Southampton to sign midfielder Ward-Prowse’. He adds.

Along with Ward-Prowse and Maguire, West Ham are likely to sign former Chelsea target Edson Alvarez from Ajax in a deal worth £35m.

Former Premier League attacker Gabby Agbonlahor reckons Ward-Prowse is “worth £45m” and he would “bolster West Ham’s midfield”.

“Ward-Prowse is worth £45million,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider. “He offers goals and assists, alongside set-pieces and being a senior professional. He also has the experience and I think he is worth the money.

“West Ham need to get their act together and Ward-Prowse would certainly be a player who bolsters their midfield.

“I would definitely look to pay the money for him as the Hammers need signings before the end of the season, so it would be important that they get him through the door.”