SAINTS would be unwilling to entertain a bid of £25million for captain James Ward-Prowse, the Daily Echo understands. 

Premier League outfit West Ham have reportedly made their opening bid for Ward-Prowse, lodging a £25million total offer.

The 28 year old has been linked with a move away this summer following relegation into the Championship, having spent his whole career at St Mary’s. 

Ward-Prowse is set to miss the fixture versus AFC Bournemouth as a 'precaution' but will return to training at Staplewood Campus on Wednesday.

A deal for the England international to move to London Stadium is not advanced despite serious interest and would not be entertained at a value of £25million. 

Ward-Prowse has scored more goals, provided more assists, taken more shots, made more passes, played more minutes and produced more blocks and tackles than any other Saints player in the last three seasons.

However, despite having three years left on his contract - signed in 2021 amid a transfer offer of similar value from Aston Villa - many consider Ward-Prowse a likely summer leaver. 

The Telegraph reported that West Ham, the Europa Conference League winners managed by David Moyes, have made their first offer for Ward-Prowse with a £25million total bid as they look to replace captain Declan Rice.

Rice departed London Stadium to join Arsenal in a transfer worth over £100million and Ward-Prowse is reportedly seen as a player who could play multiple midfield roles for Moyes.

Moyes has been looking at a host of defensive midfielders including Denis Zakaria, Joao Palhinha and Scott McTominay and while Ward-Prowse can play in that position, he can add competition in advanced areas. 

The report details that Ward-Prowse has been a long-term target as well as having the advantage of being a homegrown player, while West Ham have also been linked to the likes of Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.

It was reported earlier in the window that Saints had placed a price tag over double, around £52million, on Ward-Prowse for potential suitors to take their free-kick specialist from St Mary’s.

Manager Russell Martin, director of football Jason Wilcox and owners Sport Republic have all publicly outlined their promotion ambition - while accepting that players will still leave the club ahead of the summer transfer window shutting in September.