According to the latest media reports West Ham United have finally come to an agreement with Saints for James Ward Prowse, they seem pretty sure this time round and with time dragging on it would seem that Southampton are keen to sell and get on with rebuilding the squad.

Southampton have been standing firm in the transfer of several players and holding out for what they see is the value of their players.

However there comes a time when both parties have to meet in the middle somewhere and it seems that West Ham United have finally made a bid that Saints are willing to accept.

Hampshire Live are one of the media outlets reporting the story and are saying that Southampton are accepting somewhere north of £30 million for the midfielder.

They also go on to say that Saints have turned down several bids from the Hammers, but this offer has been accepted due to improved terms and favourable conditions.

So it looks like 11 years after making his debut in an away League Cup game at Crystal Palace 263 Premier League starts plus 80 as sub scoring 49 goals plus 64 cup games and 1 in the Championship, James Ward Prowse is about to leave St Mary's for one last time.

The feel looks to be a little lower than Saints were demanding, but £30 million for a player who will turn 29 in November is still a good price and one that Saints after relegation could turn down.

Photo: Action Images

wibbersda added 12:34 - Aug 9 I'm sure he will be gutted to leave Saints. He would have be an embassador for many years. Still, hope he goes on to get the free kick record now, and wish him all the best.
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kenis added 12:45 - Aug 9 Got false hopes up that he might stay. Given the uncertain futures and/or reliability of Charly, S.Armstrong and Aribo this does mean I'd be a bit concerned if we were left with just Charles and Smallbone having to play every game... plus if Smallbone wont sign a new contract presumably he has to be sold as well? So that means we will need another one in through the door, is Grimes even an option - will swansea deal with us or will we have to overpay and get a taste of our own medicine...

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kenchilds70 added 12:50 - Aug 9 All the very best to JWP, wish him great success. Now heres the rub we've got close to £50 mill in the pot and still NO STRIKER in sight.I have a theory that much of that money fills the void that paying off Jones and Selles and the continuation of Ralphs salary fills. Hence no expenditure, Lets see something really intention stating from SR. After last night disaster part of that cash should be refunding fans who went to see that PATHETIC shamble!

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SaintPaulVW added 13:19 - Aug 9 Sad to see him go but best of luck to him. On the face of it, it appears a fair fee. WH under Moyes is probably a good fit for him. Just hope he stays! I am also glad that when he breaks the record on free kicks that there won't be an asterisk next to his record for goals scored outside the PL. Need to use some of this money on new recruits now. COYR
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IanRC added 13:40 - Aug 9 Really rubbish 24 hours, bet he becomes an automatic England player now that he is playing for one of Southgate's favourites. Think we have been short changed if the over rated Rice goes for the price he did.
3

mattlegod added 13:48 - Aug 9 Wishing him all the best, I just hoped he would go to a better club , he's better than wet spam.
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SanMarco added 14:49 - Aug 9 Sorry to see him go and I wish him the best of luck personally. I am sure he was hoping for more than Wet Spam but that's not our concern. Pleased to see that we rejected 30m due to the club's new hard negotiating line and have now accepted 30m. Like others I was heart over head and hoping that he would stay. Reports said that he wanted to go so that will have sealed it. Let's hope he doesn't score a free kick all season and returns to next year's promoted Saints to break the record...just seen a pig fly past my window too.

4

kenis added 15:07 - Aug 9 Not sure of the sums but if our net spend last season was £140m+ then I imagine firstly all that has to be covered, then wage/other commitment gaps, and only then can new money be spend. Hopefully Alex McCarthy to palace stories are true to free that off the wage bill, I also assume ABK will go, if not and hes fit he'll be immense I think.
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JoeEgg added 15:30 - Aug 9 Defence in tatters and useless; cant defend set pieces; midfield vacant there's nobody there- nobody to score a goal! And Norwich at home at the week-end..........
1

Boris1977 added 15:34 - Aug 9 Sad day. Nice pay day for Sports Republic. Maybe we'll get 3 or 4 kids in with any cash they have left over. Moneyballsh*t
2

davenbennett added 15:53 - Aug 9 Sold for 25% under what SR said wanted, and for amount offered a few weeks ago. Lost time in bringing in new players.Looks like may get Downes on loan as part of deal. Martin managed him at Swansea. Most accurate passes in all 4 divisions before went to WH.
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Block8 added 16:36 - Aug 9 Always liked Prowsey and would have loved him to stay but he's too good for us and has been for quite a while. We have done him no favours over the last few seasons with our style of play. good luck Prowsey, get that record and your England place back. perhaps now we'll give Smallbone a decent wage to encourage him to stay?
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landsdownsaint added 17:24 - Aug 9 Good luck Prowsey … you’ll be back
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LondonSaint76 added 17:33 - Aug 9 Farewell JWP, gutted to see him go but totally understand the reasons why - Block 8’s post above pretty much sums it up. With £100k a week off the wage bill SR simply MUST now give Smallbone what he is asking for - and I’d offer Tella improved terms as well. I’d invest the fee received for JWP in Piroe and Kasper Schmeichel (Nice want £9m for KS) - if we invest his fee wisely and repurpose a percentage of the savings on his wages on improved contracts for WS & NT then JWP will have done one last favour for all of us he has left behind here at SFC, a last favour that could help us in our quest for a successful season and possible promotion.

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