James Ward-Prowse

[Univarn]

Transfer notebook: Aston Villa and Tottenham both after James Ward-Prowse

Plus: Olympiakos interested in Sheffield United's George Baldock, with Burnley and Brighton looking to sign Marc Cucurella

www.telegraph.co.uk

Tottenham and Aston Villa are preparing moves for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse after the Premier League season starts this weekend.

Both are set to test Southampton’s resolve to keep their captain after losing Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard being targeted by clubs in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Ward-Prowse, 26, was targeted by Villa earlier in the summer before they turned their attention to forwards to cover for the loss of Jack Grealish, with Leon Bailey and Ings joining Emi Buendia as summer arrivals.

He remains their No.1 target to bolster Dean Smith’s midfield, while Spurs also have the England international on their radar.

Mauricio Pochettino wanted Ward-Prowse during his time at Spurs and he remains highly rated at the club.

Ward-Prowse played in every Premier League game last season and scored eight goals, with his set-piece delivery one of Southampton’s biggest attacking weapons. It earned him a place in England’s provisional squad of the European Championships before he was dropped from the final 26.

Southampton chief executive Martin Semmens has vowed to keep Ward-Prowse at the club and sees him as an important player for the future.

Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, 27, has been monitored by Watford and Everton. They would stand to make a profit on the £11 million paid to Club Brugges two years ago should they choose to cash in.

 

[snakehipsspurs]

Exactly the type of midfielder we should be going for. I see people calling for a destroyer-type DM, but I’d much rather us have a player who dictates play and is happy sitting in, but can also rotate with Hojbjerg/Winks who can play more progressively.

His set pieces are obviously world class, and he’s HG. Would prefer him to almost any other realistic midfield link we’ve had this summer.

 

[Erm33]

Yes please. Was on my wishlist for someone in a midfield 3. Set piece specialist, knows the league so no settling in period, home grown, excellent squad option that's a huge upgrade on winkssoko

 

[adam_n17]

Get him in purely because I can't stand watching Kane on free kicks ever again

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

He will help keep the HG balance too aswell if we are lucky enough to get shot of Winks

 

[spursfan77]

I am really glad to see we are adressing central midfield at last!

But I reckon he is just a number of players we are going after, the report is pretty flimsy. We have been linked with Palinha, Zakaria and Tolisso today too. Seems another classic Paratici move.

Also it could mean that one of Sissoko or Winks is finally off!!!

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

Get him in purely because I can't stand watching Kane on free kicks ever again

It more Dier now than Kane, which is even worse by thousand percent , keep Dier away from everything id say

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

I am really glad to see we are adressing central midfield at last!

But I reckon he is just a number of players we are going after, the report is pretty flimsy. We have been linked with Palinha, Zakaria and Tolisso today too. Seems another classic Paratici move.

Also it could mean that one of Sissoko or Winks is finally off!!!

Only thing I'd say is hasn't McGrath been superb for Tottenham info this window?

(I might be wrong)

 

[wrd]

Moving this in here:

I feel like the market between prem clubs has not deflated due to Covid when you look at the deals done for HG talent. So you'd imagine that Ward-Prowse would make Southampton a tidy profit. The question would be whether Southampton with that in their coffers can make that money stretch far wider across europe which looks to have a deflated market. Only reason they'd sell in my opinion.

 

[kent brockman]

Four years left on his contract, so would probably cost an arm and a leg.

 

[SuperLuka]

Get him in purely because I can't stand watching Kane on free kicks ever again

You probably won't have to

 

[Tucker]

Yes please, can’t see them letting him go for a reasonable fee though.

 

[spursfan77]

Only thing I'd say is hasn't McGrath been superb for Tottenham info this window?

(I might be wrong)

He has but he only says we are preparing a move, isn't that what Paratici does for a number of targets?

I'm not against JWP by any means, he's a good squad filler but he isn't that much better than Winks and definitely isn't a Champions League level midfielder or has the potential to get there, which is what we really need.

 

[Sputic]

Have they changed the rules so you can bring on rolling subs for set pieces? Because otherwise I don't know why everyone is so keen. In open play he's no better than Winks.

 

[easley91]

Finally someone who can take set pieces..

 

[Erm33]

Have they changed the rules so you can bring on rolling subs for set pieces? Because otherwise I don't know why everyone is so keen. In open play he's no better than Winks.

He's significantly better than winks imo.

 

[Aphex]

Have they changed the rules so you can bring on rolling subs for set pieces? Because otherwise I don't know why everyone is so keen. In open play he's no better than Winks.

Nah, he's considerably better than Winks in the times I've seen him. He can actually properly impact games, especially going forward, and he's better on the ball and off it.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

God no. People complain about Winks but JWP is pretty much the same player but with the ability to take free kicks.

 

[rebrab]

I guess Nuno might think he’s a good player for the “Neves” role?

 

[Aphex]

God no. People complain about Winks but JWP is pretty much the same player but with the ability to take free kicks.

SO he's a better player then? lol