Transfer Rumors: Newcastle United Targeting Southampton Midfielder For January Window

Newcastle United’s new owners have a long list of transfer targets, one that now allegedly includes Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

According to Football Insider, Newcastle United is undeterred by the fact that Ward-Prowse has signed an extension with Southampton during last August’s transfer window.

Ward-Prowse opted to sign his extension, believed to be worth around £11.7 million ($16.1 million) for the next five years, to ward off an approach from Aston Villa and to show dedication to his boyhood club.

The 26-year-old has been a member of the club after entering the system via the youth academy in 2003, featuring in every match for the under-18 team during the 2010-11 season before being brought up to the first team in October of 2011.

In over 276 appearances for Southampton, he has scored 32 goals and 29 assists, the latter being the reason why most clubs want to go after him.

His value as a set-piece taker and high-IQ midfield player has allowed him to shine at Southampton and turn into one of the club’s most beloved players.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola credited Ward-Prowse’s ability to create scoring chances off the free-kick, saying that he is the best free-kick taker he has seen back in 2020.

Add in the fact that he has England manager Gareth Southgate’s confidence to feature him heavily, the chase for a player of Ward-Prowse’s caliber becomes even more likely.

Newcastle United fans are keen to see what their new Saudi Arabia-led owners have in store for them as they have been linked with other big-name transfers in January.

Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele and Jesse Lingard of Manchester United lead the charge on Newcastle United’s transfer list, with more established names set to be linked to them as the January transfer window inches closer.

It is expected that Southampton’s ownership, led by Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng, will give Newcastle United a hard time in acquiring Ward-Prowse.

However, money talks loudly in the sporting world and it remains to be seen whether the new owners of Newcastle United will pony up to meet Southampton’s £40 million ($54.9 million) valuation of the 26-year-old.