Manchester United and Manchester City have both reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
According to reports in Daily Star, a host of Premier League clubs are showing interest in Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse. Manchester United and Manchester City have now both joined the race to sign the English international in the upcoming summer transfer window, with the Saints valuing him at around £60 million.
Ward-Prowse has been in eye-catching form for Southampton this season, scoring nine times and assisting five goals in the Premier League. His consistent showings for the Saints have brought him on the radar of a handful of top English clubs.
While Manchester United and Manchester City have recently joined the Southampton playmaker’s pursuit, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are all tracking Ward-Prowse’s situation at the St. Mary’s Stadium and could be involved in a transfer tussle to sign the 27-year-old in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Manchester United have been in the market for a midfield signing for the past couple of seasons. With Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic both set to depart the club this summer, Manchester United now need two central midfielders to be prepared for the upcoming season.
Ward-Prowse has emerged as their latest transfer target as the Red Devils prepare for a major summer overhaul. But Manchester United will have to beat competition from multiple Premier League sides to land the Southampton playmaker, with Manchester City being one of their competitors.
Pep Guardiola is believed to be a massive fan of the Englishman and has urged the Manchester City board to make a summer move for him. But the interested parties could be forced to pay a considerable transfer fee to sign the Southampton playmaker this summer with four years remaining on his contract after the current season.
According to the aforementioned report, Southampton could demand a fee in the region of £60million for Ward-Prowse, a sum both Manchester United and Manchester City would readily pay if they do think that the English international will be an upgrade on the other options they are currently exploring. But Southampton might look to ward off suitors to keep hold of their captain, amid interest from Arsenal, Tottenham, and others.