Newcastle United and Liverpool ‘scout’ £40m-rated star on verge of Premier League record

The Magpies have been linked with a move for an England midfielder as they look to strengthen their squad during the summer transfer window.
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Newcastle United are reportedly considering a summer move for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.

The England midfielder has been one of the few positives in a season of struggle for the South Coast club as they battle against relegation from the Premier League. Despite battling back from two goals down to claim a late draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the final game before the international break, the Saints still remain bottom of the table and are currently two points from safety.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton passes the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton passes the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton passes the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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Their plight could have been far worse had it not been for Ward-Prowse’s form, with the set-piece specialist scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 28 Premier League appearances so far this season. The 28-year-old is also rapidly closing in on a Premier League record after his goal in last month’s win at Chelsea took him alongside former England captain David Beckham as the player with the most goals scored from direct free-kicks in the history of the competition.

Speaking about that win at Stamford Bridge and his side’s battle against relegation, the midfielder said: “This is a special moment, a special day for us a club, hopefully a springboard to turn things round. Ruben (Selles, Southampton manager) only came into the club this week. He has given us real stability, a calmness and a familiar way of playing - that is what we have needed. I wasn’t too sure about the suit when we saw it in the team meeting.

“He joked that we would have buy him a new suit if we won, so we will be off down to the local tailors to get him a nice one. As players, it’s not our decision or our choice, but it doesn’t matter who the manager is. We are in a position that is not great, but of course this result helps. We have to make sure that we give 100 per cent, no matter who the manager is. That’s the task.”

There are still doubts over Ward-Prowse’s long-term future at Southampton and he is one player certain to leave should his side suffer relegation into the Championship at the end of the season. Football Insider have now claimed Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester United have all sent scouts to watch the midfielder in action in recent weeks and could make a £40m move if the Saints are unsuccessful in their battle against the drop.