Aston Villa are keen on signing Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse in the summer transfer window. The Saints skipper has come through the ranks at the club and has made over 300 appearances for the club since making his debut way back in 2011 as a 16-year-old.
The Guardian have reported that Villa manager Dean Smith wants to bring in players who have Premier League experience, with Ward-Prowse fitting the bill.
The club reportedly want to complete deals quickly ahead of the 2020-21 season. Another report has stated that Southampton do not want to let go of their captain and that he is not for sale.
Ward-Prowse, in his 322 appearances for Southampton, has scored 33 goals and made 40 assists. He has four years remaining on his current contract at Southampton, having signed an extension last year.
James Ward-Prowse to Aston Villa – A top addition to the team?
Aston Villa finished in a commendable 11th position in the 2020-21 Premier League season, and at one point were fighting for a spot in the top six. Dean Smith’s side improved significantly from their previous season, but they will need a few good players to push and compete for a Europa League spot.
Villa have depended heavily on Jack Grealish in the last couple of seasons, but the likes of John McGinn and Ollie Watkins stepped up and delivered in the absence of the Villa skipper. But the Villans need more depth in various positions to be taken seriously.
The addition of a player like James Ward-Prowse could make Aston Villa a formidable team as the Saints midfielder has superb technical ability, energy, and is a leader. The English international is a superb passer of the ball, be it from set-piece situations or when he is controlling the tempo in midfield.
Primarily a central midfielder, Ward-Prowse has played as a right-sided midfielder in the past, where his accurate crosses have caused problems to opposition defences.
Aston Villa are interested in signing James Ward-Prowse this summer from Southampton and have made a £30m bid for the England midfielder. (Source: Guardian) pic.twitter.com/ZE9pwU0H4F
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 6, 2021
Much of Villa’s attacking play depends on players like Grealish and McGinn to get on the ball and make things happen. Ward-Prowse’s inclusion in the Villa team could allow the likes of Grealish, McGinn and Watkins to play closer to goal. The Southampton midfielder has loads of experience and wouldn’t take a long time to adapt to the Villa team, and at 26 years of age, still has a lot to offer.
This could be a wise move by Dean Smith and co. and would make Villa a lot stronger and give the manager plenty of options in midfield.