Souness questions Ward-Prowse decision as Newcastle fight Tottenham for £50m ace
Graeme Souness is ‘not sure’ that James Ward-Prowse will leave Southampton after their relegation. He is a transfer target for Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reported earlier this May that Tottenham scouted Ward-Prowse as Southampton visited Newcastle. The Magpies are also paying attention to the 28-year-old’s situation at St Mary’s with both teams keen to learn the Saints’ valuation.
A clutch of Premier League clubs have taken an interest in Ward-Prowse as they appreciate his technical qualities. Teams also sense a chance to poach the one-club man now his south coast side have endured relegation. Southampton will play in the Championship next term.
Newcastle and Tottenham are interested in Ward-Prowse’s transfer
Southampton saw their fate confirmed with two games to spare after a 2-0 defeat at home to Fulham last Saturday. Ruben Selles’ side sits bottom of the table with just 24 points after six wins and six draws. Ward-Prowse has also scored eight of their 31 goals from 36 games.
No Saints player has outscored Ward-Prowse this season, with four of his tally coming from free-kicks. The 11-cap England international has also converted two penalties. Yet only Che Adams has still outscored the midfielder from open play with three goals to two this term.
So, failing to retain their Premier League status may now see Southampton struggle to fend off interest from Newcastle and Tottenham in Ward-Prowse’s transfer. But Souness is yet to be convinced that the Portsmouth-born technician will actually walk away from the Saints.
“I’m not sure that I see James Ward-Prowse leaving and the challenge is to keep that squad together,” Souness wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
Ward-Prowse is a one-club man after 20 years at Southampton
A transfer from Southampton would mark the end of an era for Ward-Prowse amid interest from Newcastle and Tottenham. He has been a part of the Saints’ fold for the past 20 years after joining the academy in 2003. He also rose through the ranks to become their captain.
Ward-Prowse has also never played for another team since joining Southampton during his youth. While the midfielder has enjoyed more than 400 first-team appearances so far since his debut aged 16 in October 2011. He has also scored and assisted more than 50 goals yet.
But the Saints marching down to the Championship for the 2023/24 season could be what marks the end. Tottenham are long-term admirers of Ward-Prowse, who talkSPORT noted back in March that Southampton are likely to value at £50m as a non-Premier League club.
