James Ward-Prowse to start West Ham United training Monday with medical passed for Southampton exit

James Ward-Prowse is “very much a West Ham player” and will train with the club for the first time on Monday (14 August), according to Claret & Hugh.

The outlet reported on their website Sunday that the former Southampton captain has passed his medical and is set for a “big day” at Rush Green, with just “the fine details of the contract are now being agreed and i’s dotted and t’s crossed” before his move is made official.

A source told C&H: ”We are pleased to say that he s now to all intents and purposes a Hammer and we would hop to be making an announcement very soon. He will train on Monday.”

Ward-Prowse is set to seal a £30million move from St. Mary’s and join Edson Alvarez as new West Ham signings this summer.

At last

The opening day draw at Bournemouth could have been a lot worse in the circumstances, and while it was possible to include Lucas Paqueta in the team despite closing on a move to Manchester City it could have been a lot better if Ward-Prowse and Alvarez were in the squad.

David Moyes struggled to get his team going last year with signings arriving late, and he has the same task in front of him now with all of the incoming transfer business being crammed into the final weeks of the window.

Harry Maguire’s expected deal to follow is still being delayed, and how long it will take for the new men training with the club before the manager is ready to throw them in could push things further down the line.

It obviously is better late than never but the manner of the window this summer has been anything but ideal, especially for a side looking to bounce back from a dismal Premier league campaign last season.

The long-awaited departure of Declan Rice was slow and frustrating but West Ham ultimately stuck to their guns and got what they wanted.

From that point on things fell apart and are only just now starting to get put back together, but whether there will be time to complete the job remains to be seen.

Ward-Prowse’s deal getting wrapped up will be a significant step forward though so if he is out on the training pitches at Rush Green with his new teammates that will be a positive sign.