Bitter rivals Spurs are threatening to ruin West Ham’s Declan Rice succession plan as a new James Ward-Prowse transfer claim is made.
West Ham are already said to be lining up potential replacements for Declan Rice in the summer.
The beloved West Ham captain was a laughable suggestion for a move to Tottenham Hotspur by Jamie Redknapp at the weekend.
But the reality is the Hammers skipper is being hotly tipped for a big money move to Tottenham’s arch rivals Arsenal.
Indeed latest reports claim Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is planning Rice talks imminently (The Mirror).
JWP tops West Ham’s list of potential Rice successors
One of those reportedly at the top of West Ham’s list to replace Rice is soon-to-be relegated Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.
Ahead of the recent win over Southampton, David Moyes effectively admitted he looked at signing Rice’s England teammate last summer.
Reports from the likes of Sky Sports and talkSPORT have suggested West Ham will try again for Southampton’s captain and star man Ward-Prowse in the next window.
Now Spurs threaten to ruin West Ham’s Rice succession plan as a new Ward-Prowse transfer claim is made.
Spurs threaten to ruin West Ham’s Declan Rice succession plan as new James Ward-Prowse transfer claim is made
The Mail claim Tottenham scouts made a check on Ward-Prowse during Southampton’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle at the weekend.
It comes after a recent report claimed it is a three-way fight for Ward-Prowse this summer between West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle.
Relegation will likely halve the figure the Saints would otherwise be able to command for him.
Spurs’ interest could be really bad news for West Ham, whose allure has undoubtedly been damaged by how close they have come to potential relegation themselves this season.
Hammers allure could be damaged and Kane might be key but West Ham move looks like a logical next step
Although should the Hammers in the Europa Conference League they – like Spurs – will be able to offer Europa League football again next season.
In truth Ward-Prowse would make an absolutely superb addition for West Ham or Tottenham.
At West Ham he would play every single game and be in with a shout of skippering the side. He would also probably be the penalty taker as well.
That won’t be the case at Spurs. Although in north London his assist statistics would be off the charts playing with Harry Kane.
A move to West Ham looked like a logical step for club and player with Rice set to depart.
Not only is Ward-Prowse a lovely player in the middle of the park. But he would add 15-20 goals to the side with free-kicks and assists.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has labelled Ward-Prowse the best free-kick specialist in world football.
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