West Ham have pulled out of the only deal they were remotely close to sealing for a Declan Rice replacement in a new James Ward-Prowse twist.
West Ham ratcheted up their summer transfer window activity over the last two weeks with a scattergun approach.
But if reports were to be believed the only negotiations that were remotely positive in their bid to replace Declan Rice were those with Southampton’s over James Ward-Prowse.
According to Sky Sports, West Ham had held positive talks with over the signing of Saints dead-ball specialist Ward-Prowse.
West Ham pull out of the only deal they were remotely close to sealing for a Declan Rice replacement in new James Ward-Prowse twist
And Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox confirmed talks were ongoing with West Ham after an initial bid of around £20m was rejected.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg then told talkSPORT he expects the transfer of Ward-Prowse to West Ham to go through and confirmed the player wanted the move.
But now there has been a new development as the Hammers’ window goes from bad to worse.
Because West Ham have pulled out of the only deal they were remotely close to sealing for a Declan Rice replacement in a new Ward-Prowse twist.
‘They see no resale value’
According to Steinberg – the man who was confident the deal would get done – West Ham are calling off the move for the Saints skipper after seeing a second bid of £25m rejected.
It comes after we reported on Hammers News that West Ham were demanding Southampton be ‘sensible’ over the midfielder’s valuation a few days ago.
“West Ham are ready to walk away from a deal for James Ward-Prowse after having a second bid turned down for the Southampton midfielder…” Steinberg reports in The Guardian.
“West Ham, who are willing to include (Flynn) Downes as part of a deal with Southampton, are reluctant to pay over the odds. They see no resale value in Ward-Prowse given he will be 29 in November and have concerns over meeting his wages of about £100,000 a week.”
The report claims Saints are sticking to their £40m valuation.
So another one bites the dust for West Ham it seems. Where the club turns next is anyone’s guess.
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