Southampton are asking £40m for the Ward-Prowse transfer as West Ham lead the race for the record-breaking midfielder
SOUTHAMPTON are hoping to get up to £40m for captain James Ward-Prowse this summer despite relegation.
The Saints see Ward-Prowse, 28, as one of their few chances of getting a hefty transfer fee during the transfer window as they look to fund a rebuild over the summer.
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Fellow midfielder Romeo Lavia, a Liverpool target, will also make big bucks but there are few others of that value.
Despite falling back into the Championship, Ward-Prowse has three years left on his contract and will be in demand this summer, leading to Southampton’s upbeat rating.
West Ham have long been chasing the England midfielder and are keen to bring in Fulham’s Joao Palhinha to replace Declan Rice, a target for Arsenal and Manchester United.
Despite Ward-Prowse’s age, given his goals and assists record and set-piece ability, suitors are still confident that any deal has potential resale value.
A goal on Sunday increased his Premier League tally to nine goals and four assists this season.
Ward-Prowse also created more chances than any other English midfielder in the Premier this season, at 74.
No talks have been held between Ward-Prowse and interested clubs at this time as the Saints academy graduate is planning a timeout after his last game in Southampton against Liverpool on Sunday.
He scored Southampton’s first goal in the thrilling 4-4 draw before receiving a standing ovation four minutes from time when he was substituted.
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When asked about that moment and if it was his farewell, Ward-Prowse said: “It’s obviously nice, this is a club that meant a lot to me.”
“I have been here for 20 years and have had an amazing journey, loved every minute of it.”
“You never know what will happen in the future.
“I’m going off this season with my head held high knowing that I’ve done everything I could for this club, not just this year but since I walked through the door at the age of eight.
“It pains me to help ensure that Premier League status is not maintained but I am sure this club will be back in the future.”
Southampton have confirmed the appointment of Darren Mowbray as head of human resources and Mark Bitcon as director of benefits.
