Arsenal have been linked with an interest in James Ward-Prowse but the Gunners will face competition from the likes of Manchester United and West Ham United if they are serious about signing the midfielder, as per The Sun.
The report is claiming that Southampton are willing to cash in on the influential midfielder once the season comes to an end and it looks like he has no shortage of takers.
The 27-year-old has come up through the ranks at Southampton and in the previous few seasons, he has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the whole of the Premier League. If anyone were to draw up a list of the five best defensive midfielders in the league right now, James Ward-Prowse’s name will undoubtedly be on it.
James Ward-Prowse in all competitions this season:
👕 38 games
⚽️ 10 goals
🅰️ 8 assistsSouthampton’s star. 😇⭐️ pic.twitter.com/jzRvMnA0Rf
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2022
The Saints are valuing him at around £60 million and this price seems to have caught the attention of teams like Manchester United as well as West Ham United.
Why do West Ham United and Manchester United want James Ward-Prowse?
Man United have a gaping hole in their defensive midfield area which is why they are desperate to sign a world-class player in that position. As per some rumours, Erik ten Hag has asked United to step away from the Declan Rice transfer race because of his fee and instead focus on bargain signings.
The names of James Ward-Prowse and Kalvin Phillips have popped up since then and there’s a genuine chance that Man United will go after both of them in the summer. These two players might not be as good at Rice but they are surely world-class.
West Ham United are in line to lose Declan Rice in the summer which is probably why David Moyes is eyeing James Ward-Prowse and if the Hammers can secure around £120-130 million from Rice’s move then funding Ward-Prowse’s transfer will not be an issue at all.
Should he snub all the others and join Arsenal?
As things are shaping up, all the three clubs will be able to offer him regular first-team football next season but we think Arsenal have an edge over the others.
If the Gunners get back into the Champions League next season then joining them will be a step up for Ward-Prowse. A player of his calibre needs to be playing alongside the best of Europe. West Ham might not even be in the Europa League next campaign and even Manchester United are about to embark on a massive rebuilding job right now.
Money will not be an issue for either of these clubs so, in the end, top-tier European football could be the deciding factor for the Saints midfielder. Also, we don’t think the 27-year-old is the kind of player who can be lured in by lucrative wages.
