The latest whisper on the rumour mill is that West Ham United are cooling their interest in signing James Ward Prowse from Southampton, the reason being, that they are unwilling to increase their offer.

The Hammers may be newly minted after the £105 million sale of Declan Rice, but they are not loosening the purse strings on spending it and according to TalkSport they are considering pulling out of signing James Ward Prowse as they are not willing to spend more than £25 million on the player.

Saints though, don't seem to appear to be over valuing their man, Transfermarkt have his value as being around the £35 million mark, so Southampton wanting £40 million is a fair starting demand.

With the Premier League season now just 12 days away, the Hammers have lost their main player in Declan Rice and are yet to make a major signing in any position, David Moyes seems to be caught in limbo and Ward Prowse is not the only player that West Ham have made an offer for, but at a fee far below the selling clubs value, Harry Maguire was another target and Manchester united swatted off the £20 million offer with little consideration.

They also scorned a £20 million bid for Scott McTominey from the Hammers, that price is a little more realistic, but still a way short of his Manchester United's valuation of £30 million, although that valuation was last reached a year ago and is probably nearer £25 million now.

From a Saints perspective unless West Ham significantly improve their bid, JWP could be turning out at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday evening, Southampton fans will hope that will whet his appetite to stay.

That may be wishful thinking, but truth is moving to West Ham is attractive due to the Europa League participation, but ending his time at St Mary's might not be so attractive to a club outside of the Big 7 or without European participation.

Photo: Action Images

davenbennett added 21:40 - Jul 31 I just hope we hold out on all our valuations. However, what I fear is we panic sell for a knockdown price on the last day, too late to spend the money.
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Monksway added 09:46 - Aug 1 Surprised if Saints can afford to keep JWP given his wages and presumably if they are reduced as a result of relegation it's not surprising that he will want to leave to an EPL club. Also any fee is all profit unlike the youngsters and his value won't increase going forward so I think Saints will ultimately sell him if they can get £30 million.
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