None of the traditional top six clubs in the Premier League are considering a move for James Ward-Prowse this summer, but the Southampton captain could still find his way into a Champions League side by the start of next season.
With the threat of relegation looming for Southampton, who sit rock bottom of the Premier League with eight games to go, Ward-Prowse is set to move on from St Mary's in the summer and is believed to be attracting interest from top four hopefuls Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are planning to swerve the 28-year-old star and invest in younger recruits instead, confident that the England international has only a few seasons left in his prime.
The Magpies, who sit fourth in the top flight and only narrowly missed out on Carabao Cup glory to Manchester United, are planning to use their Saudi-funded war chest to shell out on new talent after a fruitful campaign under Eddie Howe.
Keen on revamping their engine room, Newcastle have identified Ward-Prowse as a key target ahead of the summer, with the midfielder set to bring an added boost of Premier League and international experience into the dressing room.
In-form Aston Villa, who are launching a late bid for Champions League football after five successive Premier League wins, are also in the market for a new midfielder to partner double-pivot options John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara.
Unai Emery's side sit six points behind Newcastle, who are currently occupying the last Champions League spot, and three points behind Tottenham in fifth.
Ward-Prowse was once tipped to exit St Mary's for a Champions League club during Southampton's better years in the top flight and could still play in Europe's most prestigious competition at Newcastle or Villa.
The midfielder will hope his parting gift to Southampton is steering them clear of relegation, with Saints currently four points adrift of safety.
Ruben Selles' men travel to the Emirates to face league leaders Arsenal on Friday and subsequently host relegation rivals Bournemouth in a crucial six-pointer six days later.
Ward-Prowse has been an integral part of Saints' side over the last decade, starting in more than 15 league games per season across the last 10 campaigns.
He's added goals to his game in recent years, staking a claim as one of the best dead-ball specialists in the world, netting eight goals in 2020-21, 10 in 2021-22 and seven so far this term.
As of last month, no Southampton player in history has chalked up more Premier League appearances than Ward-Prowse, who will make his 337th against Arsenal on Friday.