West Ham set for £5m transfer loss as they are 'willing' to hear Premier League offers for midfield star

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The star is set to fall down Julen Lopetegui’s pecking order as transfer window draws to a close

West Ham are reportedly willing to hear of potential bids for their midfield star James Ward-Prowse.

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According to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, the Irons “could be willing to listen to offers”. It is noted that while “West Ham are not actively looking to sell as he remains an integral part of the squad, ultimately any decision would be left to the player - he has three years left on his contract.”

Despite the notion that the former Southampton man remains an ‘integral’ part of the squad, he was an unused substitute in the club’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. He also only managed a 16-minute substitute appearance in the Irons’ opening day defeat to Aston Villa the weekend before.

Reports from Football Insider have revealed that Lopetegui is no longer considering the 2023 signing as ‘essential’ to his 2024/25 campaign and the arrival of defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez on a free transfer has pushed Ward-Prowse even further down the pecking order. A deal of a season-long loan with an obligation to buy of around £20m is ready also ready to be completed for the Paris Saint-Germain star Carlos Soler, thus seeing Ward-Prowse slip even further down the list of priorities.

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It was revealed on Monday that Nottingham Forest and other Premier League clubs have been alerted to the England international’s availability but the other clubs have not yet been named.

Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to add midfield reinforcements after Danilo suffered a serious ankle injury on his side’s opening day fixture against Bournemouth. The Brazilian is set to undergo surgery for his injury with his absence now leaving a significant void in the Forest squad.

Ward-Prowse enjoyed a good first season at West Ham, notching seven goals and 11 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions under David Moyes. He is just one free-kick goal short of David Beckham’s Premier League record and has 56 goals and 45 contributions from 381 appearances in the English top flight.

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However, it is reported that West Ham would be looking to secure around £25m for the Portsmouth-born midfielder, £5m less than what David Moyes paid for the ex-Saints star last summer with the Irons evidently willing to cut their losses in order to part ways with the midfielder.

The club now only has three days in which to complete any transfers with Deadline Day fast approaching on Friday 30 August.

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