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First Concrete Bid For James Ward Prowse Is Derisory
Tuesday, 25th Jul 2023 08:46

The rumour mill is turning and the media is being briefed that Southampton have received a bid from a Premier League club for their captain James Ward Prowse, but in truth it is one that will be turned down with a derisory snort.

I could pick a number of sources who are claiming that West Ham United have finally actually contacted Saints and laid some money on the table, the72.co.uk are one of those picking up the story to allege that the Hammers have slapped £25 million on the table as their opening offer.

They also say that both West Ham and Fulham who have also been linked seem unwilling to match Southampton's £40 million valuation of the player, the Cottagers have stopped well short with £20 million their top price, but it seems the East London Irons are starting to get serious.

I would surmise that by this stage West Ham have been speaking to JWP's agent and feel that they can get the player on personal terms and that it is now down to whether Saints will budge on their asking price.

A player plus cash deal has already been mooted, former Swansea City player Flynn Downes has been touted as moving to St Mary's, but that is said to be a non starter, conflicting stories have emerged with some claiming that Southampton are not interested in the player and others that Downes himself does not want to move and would prefer to stay in East London and fight for his place in the Premier League.

Former Saints hero Danny Ings has also been linked, but the issue here could not just be that the player would have to return to his home City with his tail between his legs and a section of the support not exactly behind him, but the reason he left in the first place, money !

It is fair to assume that Ings did not leave Aston Villa for less than the mooted £120k a week that attracted him to Villa Park two years ago and with two years left on his contract at the London Stadium, that is going to be a problem for the Hammers getting rid of a player who they now see as surplus to requirements after only 7 months at the club.

Ideally they would like to get back a fair chunk of their £12 million outlay, but they will find little interest from the top half of the Premier League who will also baulk at his wage demands.

That means that the best chance of Ings leaving is probably on a loan deal where the club he signs for cover his wages for the year, that in itself will cost the best part of £3 million, so will not be cheap, also with the player himself having turned 31 a few days ago, age is not on his side.

West Ham feel that there is a deal to be done with Southampton for James Ward Prowse, but with £10 million in their bank from the sale of Declan Rice, selling clubs will not be in the mood to let their players go cheaply.

I would suggest that West Ham United is a club that James Ward Prowse would be keen to join, they are in the Europa League and offer him a genuine chance of a shot at glory in that competition, they are perhaps the only club he would consider joining, given that it is unlikely one of the Big Seven will come calling.

But West Ham will have to pay the asking price or at least somewhere near it, they have the money, we have the player, the ball is in their court, the £25 million offer is a shot across the bows, but as we know with Newcastle's pursuit of Tino Livramento, Saints are in no mood to let players go cheaply.

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davenbennett added 09:06 - Jul 25
If clubs won't pay £40m, keep. Take us up, become an even bigger Saints legend. Then break PL free kick scoring record season after. If don't go up, then sell.
1

Waylander added 09:23 - Jul 25
WHU are widely reported to be looking at multiple midfield players and JWP may well not be top of their list.
0

Dellwizard added 09:42 - Jul 25
I see Klopp is up to his old dirty tricks again. This time with Lavia. He's tapped him up and obviously got his personal number, unsettled the player, apparently already agreeing personal terms even before making a bid. Now that he's unsettled the player, he then goes in with a low ball offer, knowing that the player will demand a move, might even go on strike like Big Dycke. This is typical tactics and Klopp needs to be reprimanded.
1

Block8 added 09:46 - Jul 25
£30 million and let him go, I think we have held him back long enough. I've been a fan since I first saw him score in 2015 and genuinely believe he is better than he's been able to show with us. He deserves to be in a side that will allow him more freedom to play than we have, particularly over the last few seasons. He has sacrificed his chances with England by remaining here and playing a position that doesn't suit his game AND our reliance on him has hampered us too. So maybe a move will help us both.
If you love him set him free!
COYR
3

Monksway added 09:57 - Jul 25
I agree that it's time for a break and JWP should be playing Premier League football. £30 million plus add ons seems a fair compromise.
1

Jesus_02 added 12:27 - Jul 25
I actually think JWP would thrive at a top 6 club, he is a consummate professional an there are a few up there in dire need of professionalism. (look at Man U ) .

That said he is not the box to box , aggressive ball winning midfielder we need. He is weighed down but the responsibility of captaincy and slows down fluid attacking passages of play in favor of possession, passing sideways and backwards.

If we can replace him with a ball winner then its a no brainer for me.
3

DF_20032017 added 13:09 - Jul 25
Ward-Prowse has 3 years left on his contract, Maddison had 1 year left. Maddison 26, JWP 28. £40 mill for Maddison, surely £40 million is right for JWP?
2

Bowlercow added 15:21 - Jul 25
£30m plus Ings or Downes would be about right I am sad that he wants out but he has put up with some bad, mad management decisions
0

SaintPaulVW added 15:29 - Jul 25
I agree with the sentiment above that if he was freed from frequently having to carry the underperforming players around him JWP could really thrive. Being the conscientious sort, he often seemed far too constrained and boxed in as a DM, he really shone for a brief period under Jones when he was played further up the field.

Long contract so got to be worth high £30's imo.
1

SanMarco added 15:25 - Jul 26
30m and Ings would do fine for me!!

Interesting comments from several about just how good JWP would be in a 'top' team. I don't know and I fear I am never going to find out if Wet Spam is the best on offer for him
0


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