According to The Guardian, Southampton is “desperate” to sign West Ham midfielder this summer.

 

 

 

The 24-year-old made 35 appearances for the claret and blue since joining the Hammers from Swansea City last summer.

According to The Guardian, the midfielder is wanted by recently relegated Southampton, while West Ham is reportedly displaying “strong

interest” in James Ward-Prowse, the captain of the Saints.

The Guardian reports that Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, who is anticipated to cost at least £50

million each, are both highly sought after.

Flynn Downes, who joined West Ham last summer, has had little impact, and Southampton are anxious to sign him.

Southampton’s interest in Downes should be welcomed with open arms by West Ham, who could utilise that interest to their advantage to bring Ward-Prowse to the London Stadium.

Downes definitely has the potential to grow at his young age, but there is no doubting that the Saints star is a much better option for the Hammers at this stage.

The midfielder looks certain to leave Southampton this summer following their disappointing relegation from the Premier League, but his

final destination remains unknown, with plenty of clubs certain to improve with his signature.

But West Ham may just win the race for the set-piece specialist, who would represent a fantastic replacement for outgoing midfield star

Declan Rice, who is on his way to Arsenal.

Ward-Prowse has been a constant standout for the Saints over the years, and the player is definitely deserving of a spot in the top flight

instead of the Championship.

In other West Ham news, a “shock” new role could be on the cards for Rice at his new club next season.

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West Ham United: Pundit shares ‘definite upgrade’ Declan Rice verdict as Arsenal medical questioned

Pundit Dean Saunders believes outgoing West Ham ace Declan Rice is a “definite upgrade” on Thomas Partey at

Arsenal.

The Hammers midfielder is closing in on a British record £105million move from the London Stadium club to the Gunners.

And Saunders believes Arsenal are improving with their new player, but the pundit has questioned the player’s medical timing in North

London.

“In terms of Partey out, Xhaka out. In comes Havertz, Rice. Better or not?” Alan Brazil asked Saunders live on talkSPORT.

“Upgrade,” Saunders replied. “Definite upgrade. Declan Rice covers the ground, doesn’t he? He’s like a better version of Partey. And

Havertz for me is better than Xhaka, simple.”

Saunders added: “How does it take so long to have a medical? I had a medical at Liverpool, it took about half an hour.”

The Rice transfer saga has lasted for quite some time, even after his move to Premier League rivals Arsenal was confirmed. But these

things usually take time, particularly when such huge sums of money are involved.

It has been escalated by the understandable impatience of many Arsenal supporters to finally see the deal over the line, with the initial

agreement with West Ham only the first piece of the complicated puzzle.

Those fans will be over the moon when everything is signed and the England ace has passed his medical, with manager Mikel Arteta then

able to get going with his new star.

West Ham will also want the deal done as soon as possible as they continue their search for a Rice replacement, with Arteta and Hammers

boss Moyes simply wanting as much time as they can to work with their new players ahead of the new campaign, which is rapidly

approaching.