Hammers give up on Ward-Prowse

West Ham have failed in their bid to sign Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.

The Saints skipper has been a top target for the Irons over the last few weeks but have refused to go anywhere near the £40 million being asked by the relegated Saints.

The Hammers are understood to have pulled out of the talks after making their offer of £25 million which they believed was the best they could do for a 28 year old with no sell on value.

It means that the club has failed in its efforts to bring in the Saints skipper, Conor Gallagher and Scott McTominay but we understand that David Moyes has gone back to Old Trafford in a bid to bring in £170,000 a week central defender Harry Maguire.

Commenting on the decision to quit on Ward-Prowse, our best placed source at the club told us: “We made our best offer which was rejected. We move on.”