Southampton rejected £30m bid for captain James-Ward Prowse; West Ham believe player wants the move but are looking at other options; watch the Championship season opener on Friday as Sheffield Wednesday host Southampton from 7pm; kick-off 8pm
Wednesday 2 August 2023 18:49, UK
West Ham United are looking at alternatives to James Ward-Prowse but have not given up on signing the midfielder.
Southampton rejected a bid worth £30m prompting West Ham to walk away from talks. The bid has been described as a "take it or leave it" offer.
Southampton's valuation for the 28-year-old is closer to £40m and for a deal to get done, they would have to compromise on the price.
Significantly, West Ham are getting encouragement that Ward-Prowse wants the move.
But the club will now focus their attentions elsewhere as they look to add to their ranks to fill the void created by the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m last month.
Southampton boss Russell Martin has already admitted Saints may end up beginning their Championship season, which kicks off at Sheffield Wednesday live on Sky Sports this Friday, without a number of players who could be sold by the end of August.
West Ham's latest transfer headache comes after they saw a £40m bid for Chelsea and England midfielder Conor Gallagher rejected.
The 23-year-old has two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and it is believed Chelsea would be open to extending it.
They have yet to go back in for Gallagher after seeing that bid knocked back, and are understood to be reluctant to go any higher at this stage.
Fulham's Joao Palhinha is still an option - but a potential move has been complicated by his shoulder injury and the asking price.
Initial talks with Manchester United have indicated a move for Scott McTominay could prove out of West Ham's price range.
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
"It's a complicated picture, what's happening at West Ham. We know they tried to sign James Ward-Prowse, it looks like they walked away from that deal late last night.
"They've made lots of bids for players, they're in for players like Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, Joao Palhinha, Conor Gallagher, but there's some tension behind the scenes.
"There's quite a few people involved in transfers at West Ham.
"If you start at the top, you've got David Sullivan, the owner, the co-chairman - he's very hands-on, he knows a lot about the transfer market when it comes to buying and selling players.
"Then there's David Moyes, the manager of course, who has his own set ideas and why shouldn't he? Then there's Mark Noble, the sporting director, Rob Newman, the head of recruitment, and since last month you've had Tim Steidten, who has come in as technical director.
"He's got a great reputation in Europe, worked at Bayer Leverkusen, and I think behind the scenes he's been recommending young players from the European market, and some other influential people at West Ham have been saying it's too risky and that they need players with Premier League experience, like Maguire, Ward-Prowse, McTominay, Gallagher.
"So there's a little bit of tension - and it's fair to say he's not as happy as he could be in his new role.
"That could be one of the reasons why West Ham are the only Premier League club yet to make a signing, although it's not for the want of trying. I know they're making lots of bids for different players, and the window is still open for another month. There will be players coming in."
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
