Southampton are reluctant to take Flynn Downes on loan as part of a deal for James Ward-Prowse, preferring straight cash as they hold out for £40million.
West Ham were hoping to include Downes in a deal for Ward-Prowse, knowing Saints were keen on him with their manager Russell Martin having managed the 24-year-old midfielder at Swansea.
Southampton, however, have indicated that they will only sell their captain in a straight cash deal.
Ward-Prowse remains one of the names on West Ham’s long list of midfield targets – having also courted him last summer to no avail – though they value him at £25m, £15m short of Southampton’s asking price.
Downes signed for the Hammers last summer in a move worth £12million but David Moyes is unsure whether he is ready to fill the void left by Declan Rice.
West Ham are exploring a deal for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse
The Hammers wanted to offer Flynn Downes as part of a transfer to secure Ward-Prowse
The Hammers are still targeting Edson Alvarez of Ajax, though insiders say agent’s fees have posed problems and there is work to be done in those negotiations, while Juventus’ Denis Zakaria is another option.
Moyes is keen for their search for Rice’s replacement to be concluded by the start of the new season and West Ham, now led by technical director Tim Steidten, are still trying to hone in on the target who represents the best value for money.
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