Fulham 'enter race for Southampton's James Ward-Prowse'

The 28-year-old captain has earned legendary status at St Mary's having spent his entire club career with the Saints, scoring 55 goals and registering 53 assists in 409 appearances across all competitions during a 12-year period.

However, Ward-Prowse is widely expected to leave Southampton this summer following the club's relegation to the Championship.

A host of Premier League clubs have since been credited with an interest in the 11-cap England international, with both West Ham United and Liverpool in the market for midfield reinforcements.

While West Ham have identified Ward-Prowse as a potential replacement for in-demand Declan Rice, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is hoping to follow up the signing of Alexis Mac Allister with a few more midfield additions due to the departures of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

However, according to the PA news agency, Fulham have emerged as the latest contenders in the race to sign Ward-Prowse ahead of the 2023-24 season.

It is claimed that Marco Silva's side find themselves in the line of a domino effect, as the potential sale of Rice from West Ham could see the Hammers make a move for Cottagers midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Palhinha only joined Fulham last year for £20m from Sporting Lisbon, but after an impressive debut campaign at Craven Cottage, a number of clubs, particularly West Ham, are believed to be contemplating a big-money bid for the Portuguese this summer.

The Independent claims that Ward-Prowse would be interested in a move to Fulham, who exceeded expectations in the 2022-23 campaign by securing a top-10 finish in the Premier League, 12 months after winning the Championship title.

The set-piece specialist is understood to see Silva's style of football as the best fit for him as he endeavours to secure a move to a club competing in the top flight.

Southampton are in a strong position when it comes to negotiating a potential sale of Ward-Prowse as the midfielder still has three years left on his contract which does not include a relegation release clause.

The Saints are thought to value Ward-Prowse between £30m and £50m, and should Fulham win the race for his signature by forking out a figure in that range, they would break their transfer record which currently stands at the €30m (£25.8m) paid for Jean Michael Seri in 2018.

Ward-Prowse is not the only Southampton midfielder who could be heading for the exit door, as Arsenal are reportedly making progress in negotiations to sign 19-year-old Romeo Lavia, who is valued at £50m.