James Ward-Prowse should leave relegation threatened Southampton this summer with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United potential destinations for the Premier League free-kick specialist, former England international Darren Bent tells talkSPORT (7 March, 4.30pm).
A boyhood Saints fanatic he may be, Ward-Prowse’s loyalty could be tested to its limits over the coming weeks and months. Despite that nerve-shredding 1-0 win over Leicester City last time out, Southampton remain one of the clear favourites for relegation.
Would Ward-Prowse stick around in an attempt to drag his beloved team back from the second tier? With Euro 2024 just a year away, and with plenty of top-flight clubs likely to show an interest, Bent feels that now is the right time for Ward-Prowse to put ‘self’ before ‘side’.
“Yes, they’ve got some talented youngsters. (Romeo) Lavia and players like that. (But) he has seen a lot of the senior players around him leave,” says the former Spurs striker.
Will Tottenham or Newcastle sign James Ward-Prowse from Southampton?
When pressed further on which clubs are likely make a move, Bent places Tottenham and Newcastle right at the top of the list.
“Newcastle or even Spurs,” Bent adds. “He can create. We know in the modern game how important set-pieces are. Well, there is no one better in world football than this guy. Maybe (Lionel) Messi!”
Ward-Prowse, if he finds the net from a dead-ball scenario against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United this weekend, will equal David Beckham for the most free-kick goals in Premier League history. His 17th and most recent was a dramatic winner away at Chelsea.
According to The Athletic, Southampton wanted £50 million for their homegrown skipper when Aston Villa made a number of approaches during the summer of 2021. One suspects Ward-Prowse’s price-tag would fall rather sharply if Ruben Selles cannot guide his side away from the dreaded bottom three.
“He’s outstanding,” foprmer boss Nathan Jones told Hampshire Live of Ward-Prowse.
“He’s been absolutely world class for me. I’m sure he’s going to (beat Beckham’s record). I think he’s going to play in the Premier League for a few years yet. The quality isn’t going to diminish in any way.
“Unless somebody comes in and cut off his right leg, I think that record is under threat. He’s one of the best technicians I’ve ever seen, the consistency he shows is world class.”
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