Southampton captain and set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse has long been identified as a key

target for the Hammers this summer, as part of plans to replace talismanic captain Declan Rice

following his blockbuster £105million switch to London rivals Arsenal.

Negotiations have been ongoing after an initial bid was rejected earlier in the window, with the

England midfielder, 28, believed to be keen on a move to West Ham as he looks to seal an

immediate return to the Premier League following Southampton’s relegation to the

Championship last season.

There were previously discussions over whether Flynn Downes could even move in the opposite

direction as part of the deal.

However, Standard Sport understands that West Ham are now ready to exit negotiations over

Ward-Prowse, having baulked at Southampton’s asking price for their long-serving skipper.

Borges will also not be heading to the London Stadium, with Ajax having now swooped for his

services.

West Ham were expected to sign the 19-year-old winger from Manchester City in a deal worth

around £14million, having seemingly seen off competition from the likes of Brighton, Borussia

Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in a real coup for David Moyes.

However, the former Sporting Lisbon youngster, regarded as one of the most talented players in

the English youth academy system, is now heading to Ajax for £17m instead.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday evening that Borges was travelling to Amsterdam for a

medical having agreed a four-year contract with the Eredivisie giants until 2027, with City set to

include buy-back and sell-on clauses in the deal.

West Ham are understood to have been put off by the Portugal Under-19 international’s wage

demands.