{"id":593334,"date":"2021-06-06T09:32:31","date_gmt":"2021-06-06T13:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=593334"},"modified":"2021-06-06T09:34:16","modified_gmt":"2021-06-06T13:34:16","slug":"aston-villa-to-make-james-ward-prowse-transfer-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/06\/06\/aston-villa-to-make-james-ward-prowse-transfer-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Aston Villa to Make James Ward-Prowse Transfer Bid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aston Villa<\/a> are set to launch a James Ward-Prowse transfer bid, attempting to prize the England<\/a> international away from his boyhood club, Southampton<\/a>, \u00a0The Guardian’s Paul Doyle has reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aston Villa Set for James Ward-Prowse Transfer Move<\/h2>\n

Early Bird<\/h3>\n

Villa boss Dean Smith<\/a> is keen to do the club’s summer transfer business early this summer, having already agreed a club-record fee to sign Norwich City<\/a>‘s Emiliano Buendia<\/a>, reportedly fending off interest from Premier League<\/a> rivals Arsenal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One season after surviving likely relegation, Villa were much more comfortable in their second campaign back in the top-flight. After a bright start, they ended up finishing in 11th-place. The Villains are already making efforts to improve on last season’s performance with some exciting additions.<\/p>\n

Possible James Ward-Prowse Transfer and What He Will Bring to Villa Park<\/h3>\n

Southampton is all that is known to James Ward-Prowse, having been on the books at the club since 2003. He has thrived under Ralph Hasenhuttl<\/a> and remains the club captain. However, Villa, with the likes of Buendia coming in and Jack Grealish<\/a>, one of England’s best talents, could be a tempting proposition for the seven-time capped England international.<\/p>\n

Ward-Prowse himself was named in the provisional 33-man squad<\/a> for Euro 2020, before being omitted for Gareth Southgate’s<\/a> final 26-man strong team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Villa’s business in the market shows real intent, especially if they can keep Grealish from the desired hands of every ‘big six’ club in English football this summer.<\/p>\n

The Southampton midfielder would obviously compliment Grealish – the most fouled player in the league – something Ward-Prowse with his set-piece expertise can relish.<\/p>\n

Big Loss to Southampton if He Goes<\/h3>\n

Not only losing their club captain if Ward-Prowse does make the move to Villa, but Southampton would be losing one of their biggest attacking assets. His nine goals scored in 2020\/21 were just four short of the club’s top goalscorer Danny Ings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In total, Ward-Prowse was involved in 15 – almost a third – of Southampton’s 47 Premier League goals this past season.<\/p>\n

Move Can Enhance his England Chances<\/h3>\n

Moving to Villa Park could well enhance Ward-Prowse’s chances of featuring for England more often. Southampton collapsed after a positive start last season and found themselves further down than they’d ever have imagined. However, with a move to Aston Villa, a side who look like they’re getting more exciting by the day and with that, stronger, Ward-Prowse has to potential to finish much higher in the league and have much more involvement – which would be music to both Dean Smith and Gareth Southgate’s ears.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>