Aston Villa and Newcastle to make bid for James Ward-Prowse

Midfielder James Ward-Prowse has refused to rule out a departure from Southampton, with the 28-year-old free kick specialist reportedly on the radar of Aston Villa and Newcastle. The Saints were relegated from the Premier League yesterday, and Ward-Prowse, the captain, has already been linked with a departure.

Ward-Prowse plays as a midfielder for Southampton in the English Premier League. Born on November 1, 1994, in Portsmouth, England, Ward-Prowse joined the Southampton youth academy at the age of eight and progressed through the ranks to make his professional debut for the club in 2011.

Ward-Prowse is known for his technical ability, vision, and set-piece expertise. He is regarded as one of the best dead-ball specialists in the Premier League, and his ability to score and create goals from set-pieces has been crucial for Southampton over the years. In addition to his set-piece ability, Ward-Prowse is also a hard-working and versatile midfielder who can play in multiple positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and on the wings.

Ward-Prowse's performances for Southampton have earned him widespread praise and recognition, and he has also represented England at various youth levels and in the senior team. His most recent call-up to the England national team came in 2021, and he played a key role in helping England reach the final of the UEFA European Championship, although they ultimately lost to Italy on penalties.

Off the field, Ward-Prowse is known for his professionalism, work ethic, and leadership qualities. He is highly respected by his teammates and coaches and has been named as Southampton's captain in recent seasons. In addition to his footballing achievements, Ward-Prowse is also involved in various charitable initiatives and has been praised for his contributions to the community.

When asked by a reporter if he would be leaving St Mary's, Ward-Prowse responded: "I'm not looking beyond tomorrow. It's about sticking together and dealing with it in the right way. Over the last 10 years we have had that kind of consistency and that has wavered. It will be testing for everybody but these are the times that make you as a player and as a club, we have done it before and we will do it again."