J Wuppa Signs!
Hammers have finally completed the signing of midfielder James Ward-Prowse from Southampton for a fee thought to be in the region of £30 Million.The 28 year old England international has joined on a four year deal and looks set to make his debut against Chelsea this coming weekend.
"I'm buzzing to be here at West Ham United," said Ward-Prowse who joined Southampton at the age of eight and made 410 senior appearances as well as captaining the club, who were relegated to the Championship last season.
Ward-Prowse continued "From the outside looking in, this is a club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the Europa Conference League last year, you can feel there is real momentum around this club."
David Moyes who relentlessly pushed for the signing said: "He's performed to a very high level in the Premier League over the last decade, constantly producing good numbers season after season. His leadership qualities are obviously another huge plus for us - he'll be a big voice for us, someone who drives the team on from the middle of the pitch."
How Ward-Prowse fits into the team is a matter of some conjecture, but at Moyes' 'Dinosauric' style will not be as extreme a culture shock as it would be for a player coming in from Europe! In a way, the signing of Ward-Prowse is part of a quid pro quo player acquisition policy that has seen new director of football Tim Steidten get his man, Edson Alvarez and Moyes get his man!
Ward-Prowse and Alvarez are quality signings, unfortunately there is now an increased 'shopping list' due to Lucas Paqueta's imminent departure to Manchester City. Most people love Pep, but we don't, he has essentially ripped the creative core from Hammers before the season begins in earnest.
There is no point in crying over what might have been, instead the club need to 'spank' the Citizens over the fee for Pacman, nothing less than Cole Porter AND £100 Million will suffice, it is NOT as if West Ham are short of cash are they? So playing hard ball with City should most definitely be the course to follow, put up or shut up!
The next few days will see a flurry of transfer activity, hopefully the Maguire will he or won't he will be resolved sooner rather than later, if not the club need to move on to other targets and Moyes needs to lose his 'lost dog finding it's way home' obsession with the other side of Manchester! - LN
