Liverpool are ready to make a move for cut-price midfielder James Ward-Prowse following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister, according to recent reports.
The Reds are keen to overhaul their engine room following a disappointing campaign saw them finish fifth and left them outside the Champions League spots for next season, and have already moved to sign Brighton’s Mac Allister in a deal worth between £35m and £55m depending on reports.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are working to sign two more midfield stars this summer to bolster their ranks following the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Naby Keita this summer, and have identified Ward-Prowse as one of those that could come in.
That is according to the Mirror, who claim that Klopp has set his eye on the Southampton man and that ‘Ward-Prowse [is] now top of his shopping list’ after seemingly missing out on Mason Mount, with the Chelsea star set for Manchester United as things stand.
Editorial Use Only – DataCo restrictions apply 2P55559 James Ward-Prowse of Southampton at full time – Southampton v Leicester City, Premier League, St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, UK – 7th March 2023
Editorial Use Only – DataCo restrictions apply (Alamy Stock Photo)
But any deal will not be forthcoming soon, with Southampton holding out for around £50m for their captain amid interest from Tottenham and West Ham too, despite having been relegated this campaign.
This is considered far too much for the Reds, who are reportedly only willing to stump up £25m for Ward-Prowse, though ‘there is a feeling that the south coast side will lower their asking price as the window wears on’.
29-years-old in November, he would mark a move away from the transfer policy that Liverpool have usually followed, but with his game based more around his technical attributes than physical ones, he would be able to play well into his 30s while bringing Premier League experience and set-piece excellence to the table.
