Incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly wants to sign Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse as a key part of the rebuild at Old Trafford.
Southampton are gearing up for a battle to keep their captain this summer and Sportsmail revealed on Friday that the club will tell their Premier League rivals he is not for sale following reported interest from Tottenham and Newcastle.
United will be in the market for midfielders in the summer as the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic are all expected to the leave the club.
Ten Hag, who will take up his role as United boss at the end of the season, has identified Ward-Prowse as a target as he aims to strengthen the beleaguered Red Devils' engine room, according to the Sun.
The Dutchman is thought to admire Ward-Prowse, whose stock is at an all-time high, but United could face competition from arch-rivals Manchester City to land the England international's signature.
Ward-Prowse could attract a transfer fee of around £75million - half of what United have been quoted by West Ham for their prized asset Declan Rice.
The 27-year-old Saints captain is under contract at St Mary's until 2026 and is believed to earn £100,000 a week, a figure which is unlikely to deter either City or United.
City boss Pep Guardiola has publicly expressed admiration for Ward-Prowse and the Premier League champions could also move for the player as they look to replace departing Brazilian Fernandinho.
It is not yet clear how much Ten Hag will be given to spend when he joins United from Ajax, but he is likely to prioritise central midfield, which has been a problem position at the Old Trafford club for several years.
The Sun reports Ten Hag believes Ward-Prowse can play as a holding midfielder.
United have also been linked with Kalvin Phillips, but Sportsmail revealed on Friday that he will snub a move to Leeds' bitter rivals out of loyalty to his current club.
Rice's £150million price tag is thought to be a significant stumbling block to United swooping for the West Ham star, who has also been the subject of significant interest from Chelsea.
Zopintuz
1
it's better to sign Pogba to man city
Pumklopu
0
again why pay 75 million when there is an option of signing Pogba for free.? I really wish Pogba to sign for city as a free agent
Kooklprs
1
is there something wrong with our club why can't buy h land
mgue7445
0
But not 75m
the 50 is 50 mil
j-blåck
0
well he is there main special list and one of the best in premier league when it come to corners and free kick I'll take 50 max from him
But not 75m
soldierzway
0
gylles16
0
75 million ,for what 😒
neoadklnrz
2
we don't want England players. High transfer FEES and they play non sense
socbklnz
0
we know you're only kidding but continue[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
fuuadklops
3
the price £75m is too much, this is the reason we end up getting flops.....they shud try to find players in the range of 30 to £33m who will turn into good players like vandik, de bruyne, mane, Alexander Arnold, halaand etc....not just following the price but you end up regretting like Maguire and Paul pogba who doesn't any interest in playing for the club.
malone95
1
Prowse who???
rxllia
0
We don't need a free kick merchant
exactly, yall got free kick merchants, whats prowse gna do?
Alex_junior
0
worst player ever,apart from free kicks,my 4 years old daughter,is far better than him
Really bro??
Pacimnruyz
2
worst player ever,apart from free kicks,my 4 years old daughter,is far better than him
OzoneFreedom
3
another over hype
cabaeknosy
1
James ward-Prowse is the best
Unitedforlife6
2
We don't need a free kick merchant
Daviator
2
I'm 100% sure this is a plot by city if this is true 😂
Formadrid
1
overhyped English players
Wacdelnpz
0
Only Southampton team knows how to create money they doesn't want to win trophy and they don't want to be relocating their just want to make businesses in the middle of the town if you know you know
Vooabdru
0
Waste of money incoming as usual
menbekmruz
0
another overrated English boy
Vosto
0
this media Eric Ten hasn't said anything about transfer and players so stop this nonsense of linking players to us
Sosst
0
I would not spend that type of money on ward prowse,I can name 3 players they can pick up with 75 million dollars💡
vakcilmruz
0
I don't support any team but I do believe United as a club is far better than City. They may be down now but you can't insult them because their history is so rich even a club like City can't afford. Wait when City manage to win all the trophies United have won then you can compare them to City
Oga Adé, you're denying your 7th avenue club. What a shame!
vakcilmruz
0
He's a fine player but that price is too expensive, between 30 and 35 seems manageable to me....
He's worth is not more than £15.7m shikena.
tampumi
1
The price is too high but i wd love to see him at City he can bring a dffrnce.
yuocknoru
0
We need players who are coming in to better than the competition already. Besides, I don’t see any chance. What I mean is that can he buy a place in the Liverpool, or Man City, or Chelsea’s starting 11? If not, then I don’t think we are making a progress.
Well said if player can’t play for fit in Manchester City squad don’t waste your money because he will be humiliated.
Santanacityzen
1
fake fake fake 😤
Muncdimptz
2
Please stop defrauding people
patapata
1
forget the overpriced English players!
jeuklnrsyz
0
it's too much
KabuEric
0
He's a fine player but that price is too expensive, between 30 and 35 seems manageable to me....
KabuEric
0
We don’t need him! Let him go to shitchester united
I don't support any team but I do believe United as a club is far better than City. They may be down now but you can't insult them because their history is so rich even a club like City can't afford. Wait when City manage to win all the trophies United have won then you can compare them to City
saifullahiabdullahi
1
we need him👍👍🙏
Footballhub_
0
We don’t need him! Let him go to shitchester united
MelMelWeah
1
Kelvin Phillips is much better for that price
Nizwest
0
He is good and wouldn't mind him playing for Liverpool but not at that price.
ledadklprz
0
English players are overhyped and overrated... Bang average!
Mebacoy
0
Why the English Player are so expensive. Performance are below Par. Example Man Utd Captain Mr. Maguire.
danny7_ida
1
Like dyg, it’s a trap they want our Man U to fall for😂😂
exactly 😂
donbilmrsy
0
Grealish over hyped and now JWP
Red_Devil_United
0
🤣🤣 riggghhtt...
repbelmnor
4
no wonder british players are not playing in other league coz they are too overpriced...
Hunbcesy
0
let mancity have him
Like dyg, it’s a trap they want our Man U to fall for😂😂
Humancal44
1
Fake news
NEYMARJRBRAZIL3
0
JAMES WARD-PROWSE' I his free kick style he remind me of DAVID BECKHAM the EPL record holder is free kick goals 2 James Ward-Prowse' 3 GOAT CR7 welcome to the dream club and be a wonderful star
[image]
Beckham was a winger
micky111
0
English players are just overrated. placing crazy price tags on mediocre players
I swear man,Imagine 100M for Rice🤦♂️
Vikkyy
6
Overpriced British players
Pesbcemsty
1
better sign bissouma...he is real deal for manu...
yes