Southampton have slapped £50m price tag on James Ward-Prowse amidst interest from at least four Premier League clubs, according to 90min.
The Saints suffered another blow to their hopes of surviving relegation at the weekend as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s.
Southampton are at the bottom of the Premier League table with 23 points in 31 games. They are four points adrift of the safe zone with just seven games remaining.
With relegation thus a real possibility, the Hampshire-based outfit face the risk of losing several stars this summer.
Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Mohammed Salisa and Kyle Walker-Peters are all tipped to leave at the end of the season.
Ward-Prowse is also expected to part ways with Southampton if the club fail to avoid relegation. He has been with the club throughout his career, but could finally be on his way out.
According to the aforementioned source, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is a huge admirer of the central midfielder. The Magpies are thus monitoring Ward-Prowse’s situation at St. Mary’s.
Apart from Newcastle, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have been credited with an interest in the 28-year-old.
Southampton, though, do not intend to let of Ward-Prowse cheaply despite facing the risk of suffering relegation.
As per the said report, they will demand a sum of £50m for the England international amidst increasing interest in him.
Ward-Prowse has made 402 appearances across all competitions for the Saints so far, bagging 53 goals and 51 assists.
Arsenal emerge as frontrunners for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia
Ward-Prowse’s midfield partner Lavia is also the subject of heavy transfer interest ahead of the summer.
Chelsea and Manchester City have notably been credited with an interest in signing the Belgium international.
However, there are claims that Arsenal are in the driving seat to sign Lavia from the Saints ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen where the future lies for the likes of Bella-Kotchap, Salisu and Walker-Peters.