Sources: Tottenham could block West Ham bid to sign James Ward-Prowse
West Ham efforts to sign Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse this summer could be scuppered by interest from Tottenham and Newcastle United, sources have told Football Insider.
This site revealed on Thursday (4 May) that there are major doubts over the future of Irons midfield duo Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.
West Ham are now turning attention to signing multiple midfield stars in the summer window.
Among the priorities for David Moyes and his recruitment team is a creative midfielder – and Ward-Prowse, 28, is seen as fitting the bill.
The 11-cap England international has notched nine goals and three assists in 41 appearances as an ever-present for Southampton this term.
His set-piece delivery and free-kick exploits have earned him a reputation as one of the world’s leading dead-ball specialists.
Football Insider revealed last month (19 April) that Southampton have given Ward-Prowse the green light to move on from St Mary’s at the end of the season if they are relegated from the Premier League.
That news is believed to have boosted the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham, who have monitored the midfielder’s situation this term.
He is on the radar at West Ham – but the Irons could find a deal difficult to do with the interest from elsewhere.
Southampton are on the brink of relegation to the second tier – with Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia just two of the coveted stars expected to depart in a summer fire sale.
Meanwhile, West Ham could again have Europa League football to help lure high-profile summer targets to the London Stadium if they can emerge victorious in the Europa Conference League this season.
In other news, West Ham and Leeds race to sign Ligue 1 star.