“West Ham are finalising the paperwork on James Ward-Prowse’s contract ahead of his £30m move from Southampton,” according to Sky Sports. “A formal announcement is expected on Monday.

“Flynn Downes is also having a Southampton medical today. The deal is for a season-long loan.”

This really is good business from West Ham, who clearly still want to strengthen in midfield having already signed Edson Alvarez from Ajax.

It just shows how much the club are missing former captain and midfielder Declan Rice, who earlier this summer joined Arsenal for £105million.

The new Gunners man has left a huge hole in the West Ham midfield, with two new signings needed from David Moyes to help fill that hole.

Hammers fans have been desperate for new midfielders all summer, and after many painful weeks, it looks like they could now have a fantastic new duo in place for their two defensive midfield spots, if indeed that is the plan from Moyes.

As for Downes, it seems that his long-term future may lie away from the London Stadium, even if he is only leaving on a short-term deal.

He may feel unlucky about his career in claret and blue so far, but there is no doubt that Ward-Prowse is an upgrade on the 24-year-old, who joined from Swansea City last summer.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers have missed a multi-million deadline to complete the signing of a new striker this summer.