West Ham have been linked to many defensive midfielders in an attempt to replace the departed Declan Rice. With money to spend, the club is also looking to add a central midfielder in addition to Rice’s replacement. One name that is being reported as a top target for the Hammers is Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse. Arguably the best free-kick scorer in the world, Ward-Prowse is looking to find a Premier League side after relegation with his boyhood club.
West Ham set to increase efforts to sign James Ward-Prowse
The Guardian report that West Ham are looking to step up their interest in James Ward-Prowse. The report mentions that Southampton are looking for £40M in a Ward-Prowse deal, but West Ham may have a trick up their sleeve to reduce the fee. The club could send midfielder Flynn Downes the other way in order to sign Ward-Prowse at a cheaper cost. Flynn Downes would be reunited with his former manager Russell Martin, who he played under at Swansea City. The Guardian report that Ward-Prowse would be open to joining West Ham. Fulham is also mentioned as a possibility for the midfielder.
West Ham stepping up their interest in James Ward-Prowse. Flynn Downes likely to go to Southampton, who are close to selling Tino Livramento to Newcastle https://t.co/lap3DOxc30
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) July 20, 2023
Flynn Downes, who could join Southampton, only signed with West Ham last summer. He struggled to find game time under David Moyes this past season. Downes is a West Ham fan, so it feels unlikely the player would want a move away which may complicate West Ham’s swap deal outlook.
Ward-Prowse joined Southampton’s academy at age 9 in 2003. He is one of few one-club players left in modern football, especially at 28 years of age. Ward-Prowse is one free-kick goal away from tying David Beckham’s record for most free-kicks goal in Premier League history.
Another central midfielder West Ham is linked to that isn’t a Rice replacement is Conor Gallagher. Should he end up with West Ham, it would be Gallagher’s fourth London-based club, having played for Chelsea, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace.