Southampton

Image source, Reuters

Romeo Lavia has posted a farewell message to Southampton supporters on social media before his expected transfer to Chelsea.

Chelsea and Liverpool have been bidding to sign the midfielder, 19, for much of the summer and the Blues had a deal starting at £53m accepted by Southampton earlier this week.

He spent one season with the Saints after joining from Manchester City last summer, making 34 appearances and scoring one goal.

"As I say goodbye, I want to say a big thank you for everything you have given me during my time here," said Lavia.

"I've instantly felt the love from you all despite us not achieving our shared goals. I'll never forget the belief the club and Saints all around the world showed me and I hope I was able to repay the faith you put in me.

"I would especially like to thank all my team-mates and all staff members within the club - involved closely or not - for putting your arms around me since the day I walked through the Staplewood Campus and for all the daily work and help behind the scenes making me become a better person, athlete and football player. You have all played a massive part into making my integration into real professional football easier.

"I will be forever grateful to you. For those reasons, this club will always remain close to my heart. Good luck this season and I look forward to seeing the club marching back to the Premier League where it belongs very soon!"

Southampton held their fans' forum earlier this week and BBC Radio Solent were on site to cover the whole thing.

The night featured Join Marieanne Spacey-Cale, Russell Martin, Jason Wilcox, and CEO Phil Parsons.

You can listen to it here

You can also get all of your Saints audio - featuring BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore - by clicking here

Image source, Getty Images

James Ward-Prowse's move to West Ham has left Southampton "naturally disappointed" but the club is "satisfied" it has "received appropriate compensation for a player of his quality and importance".

The midfielder, who joined the club as an eight year old, leaves the Saints with 410 appearances, scoring 50 goals.

In a statement from the club's website, Southampton said: "The move brings to an end an incredible 20-year association between the club and the midfielder, who departs as one of the finest talents to ever come out of the Saints Academy.

"While the club is naturally disappointed to see him leave, we understand his desire to continue pursuing his career both in the Premier League and on the European and international stages, and are satisfied that we have now received appropriate compensation for a player of his quality and importance, which can further support the club’s own plans in the remainder of the transfer window.

"Everyone at Southampton FC would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to James for what he has given to the club during his long time with us. We wish him every success in the future."

Image source, Reuters

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

West Ham have agreed a fee with Southampton to sign England international midfielder James Ward-Prowse. It is thought the fee is in the region of £30m.

West Ham have been trying to sign Ward-Prowse for most of the summer but Southampton have rejected their advances.

However, it has felt inevitable since Saints were relegated from the Premier League that their captain would leave and it appears that will now happen.