West Ham preparing a second bid for £40million James Ward-Prowse – talkSPORT

West Ham are preparing to make a second offer for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, according to talkSPORT.

The radio station reported via Twitter (28 July) that the Hammers are set to bid again for the 27-year-old after their initial £20million proposal was rejected by the Saints.

Southampton, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have placed a £40million pricetag on their captain amid interest from the East London club.

And Saints Sporting Director Jason Wilcox told SunSport (27 July) that the club are not in a rush to sell.

“If we get the right offer, we will consider it. Consider is an important word because we don’t have to sell. We’re a big football club. We’re not going to allow players to leave if we don’t feel it’s a win-win.”

After Wilcox’s comments and the valuation placed on Ward-Prowse by the South Coast club, a clear message has been sent to David Sullivan and the West Ham board, pay up or look elsewhere.

Despite relegation, it is clear that Southampton will not be rolled over and are sticking to their guns in this transfer saga, while other relegated sides Leeds and Leicester have seen themselves cleared out by rival clubs.

Although reports of David Moyes’ side preparing a second offer show they are willing to play the game and are keen on securing the services of Ward-Prowse.

The club are in need of a new midfielder after they sold Declan Rice to Arsenal during this transfer window and have been linked with a number of targets.

But a second offer incoming shows they are serious about Ward-Prowse and it is clear why, with the free-kick specialist having been such a consistent performer for his side throughout his 300-plus games in the Premier League.

In other West Ham news, developments suggest a striker at the London Stadium is going nowhere.