Hammers eye ‘Rice replacement’ Ward-Prowse
West Ham are targeting a move for James Ward-Prowse as they prepare for life after Declan Rice, according to reports.
Rice is Arsenal’s key target, as well as being linked to Manchester United, as both Prem giants look for a world-class anchorman.
The Hammers skipper will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, although the East Londoners possess an option to extend it by a further 12 months.
According to the Standard, West Ham are aiming to profit on Southampton’s relegation by prising away their captain Ward-Prowse.
They add that boss David Moyes is a huge fan of the 28-year-old set piece specialist.
West Ham, who are becoming more resigned to losing Rice in a megabucks deal, want a big name replacement for their homegrown star.
They will target more than one midfielder, understanding that filling the hole vacated by Rice will be a difficult job.
The Hammers considered a swoop for Ward-Prowse last summer, only to pounce for Flynn Downes instead.
Ward-Prowse has managed to score eight goals in 36 Prem appearances this term, despite his side’s abject showing.
The Portsmouth-born ace joined Saints aged eight and has made 407 outings for them in total.
Gunners to ‘rake it in if Kim joins Utd’
Arsenal could make millions if Manchester United land Napoli’s Kim Min-jae.
The Red Devils are favourites to sign the south Korea centre-back, despite rumoured interest from Liverpool and PSG.
And any move could have the knock-on effect of giving Arsenal a boost to their transfer kitty.
This is because Napoli are likely to go into the market to sign a replacement and they have been linked to a player Gunners fans will know well.
The Italian side are believed to be poised to sign Dinos Mavropanos, who was at Arsenal for four years.
But when he left in 2022 for Stuttgart, wily Arsenal negotiators added a sell-on clause into his contract, according to Londonworld.
Rice could fund 3 signings
Selling Manchester United and Arsenal target Declan Rice could fund three players, West Ham reportedly believe.
The Daily Mail say the Hammers are interested in signing United’s Scott McTominay, Valencia’s Unus Musah and Bristol City star Alex Scott.
The interest in McTominay could boost United’s hopes in landing Rice.
Ferdinand blasts Arsenal’s lack of leaders
Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Arsenal is lacking leaders to motivate the players after disappointing results.
He said on his podcast: “The first time I won the league right, we went and drew at Bolton away and the team we were chasing was Arsenal and they won that weekend.
“I was sitting in the changing room thinking we’ve thrown it away man. I was down, shoulders slumped in my chair sitting there thinking what are we going to do man?
“And I went in the shower and I remember hearing Roy Keane and Gary Neville going ‘ah it’s a great point. It’s a hard place to come we’ll go next week and go again this is a good point’. And my whole vibe changed, my body language, everything changed.’
“Now was there anyone doing that in the changing room at Arsenal after the games against West Ham, Southampton, Liverpool.
“Was there anyone in that dressing room who went to that young team, young players, all those inexperienced players that haven’t been around titles.
“Was there someone going – ‘Listen, wow 2-2 at Anfield is a big result for us. Where have they been the last few years, what have they done’.”
Doubts on Arteta title credentials
Simon Jordan has claimed that Mikel Arteta is not good enough to win the Premier League with Arsenal next season.
He told talkSPORT: “I worry – to use a Souness-ism – that Arteta is a son-in-law.
“I am not sure he has this particular gear in those narrowing of the eyes that concentrates players’ minds to get them to the next level. Something was lost and it wasn’t just [William] Saliba that didn’t get you past those games.’
“Well done for finishing second in the league. Not so well done for snatching defeat from the joys of victory.
“Are they going to build on it? Is the next step to win the league? I don’t think it is.”
Bent gutted if Arsenal star leaves
Darren Bent has insisted that he would be gutted if Arsenal sold Granit Xhaka this summer.
He told talkSPORT: “I’ll be pretty gutted about that because you said there he’s been exceptional.
“Certainly, the way he’s improved in that more advanced role, I think that suits him more.
“I’ll be gutted to see him leave.”
