By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

6th Jun, 2023 | 1:40pm

Revealed: Tottenham and West Ham lead James Ward-Prowse race

James Ward-Prowse is taking time out before his Southampton future is resolved, sources have told Football Insider.

Multiple clubs have expressed an interest in a summer deal with West Ham and Tottenham pushing the hardest.

It is seen as very early for Ward-Prowse in terms of movement and nothing is advanced.

But interested clubs are set to step up their interest in the coming weeks.

Ward-Prowse is expected to leave following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.

On 19 April, Football Insider revealed that the midfielder was given permission by the club to leave in the event that they were relegated from the top flight.

The Saints finished bottom of the Premier League and were relegated to the Championship for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

Ward-Prowse’s contract at St Mary’s runs until 2026 after signing an extension back in 2021 but is set to depart this summer following their demotion to the second division.

This site first revealed Tottenham’s interest in the England international in March and the London club have been monitoring Ward-Prowse’s situation for some time as they plot a move this summer.

The 28-year-old made 45 appearances for the Saints across all competitions and scored 11 goals and provided five assists in what turned out to be an uninspiring campaign from the club.

Ward-Prowse joined the Southampton academy in 2010 and has been at the club ever since.

The centre-mid has made 409 appearances for the first team across all competitions throughout an 11-year spell with the club.

In other news, midfielder is ‘almost certain’ to move as Tottenham swoop.