HITC Sport understands that the England U21 international is drawing admiring glances from afar.
Chelsea and Manchester City are both keeping regular tabs on Southampton star James Ward-Prowse, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the mooted interest.
Ward-Prowse, the new England Under-21 captain, is making fine strides on the South Coast at St Mary’s.
With nearly 100 first-team games under his belt, he is already emerging as one of the best young English prospects in the Premier League.
And it is little surprise that Portsmouth-born Ward-Prowse is already attracting interest, with a number of Southampton’s top-flight rivals understood to be watching him closely.
Southampton, though, are no strangers to their top talent being monitored – indeed, if anything there is no club in England more versed. They have sold the likes of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers and Morgan Schneiderlin in recent seasons – but all were sold at their behest.
And there is no likelihood of them entertaining any interest in Ward-Prowse at this junction as the player is firmly tied into a contract until 2020.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox