An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their work to identify targets for the upcoming summer transfer window…
What’s the latest on James Ward-Prowse to Aston Villa?
According to Football Insider, the Villans have reignited their prior interest in signing Southampton central midfielder James Ward-Prowse to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
The report claims that the club are keeping tabs on the England international’s situation at St. Mary’s and could make a swoop for him even if his side avoids relegation to the Championship.
It is stated that Unai Emery wants to add another central midfield option to his squad and was unsuccessful in an attempt to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Marseille in January.
David Beckham 2.0
Johan Lange could land the Villa head coach his own version of Real Madrid and Manchester United legend David Beckham by securing a deal to sign Ward-Prowse.
Throughout his career, the former England international was renowned for his sensational ability from set-pieces and is currently the highest-scoring free-kick taker in the history of the Premier League.
His 18 goals directly from free-kicks lead the way in the English top-flight but Ward-Prowse is closing in on that record after he scored his 17th in the division last weekend – firing in a dead ball against Chelsea.
The Saints captain, whose set-piece delivery was once dubbed “ridiculous” by Alan Shearer, was hailed by former England midfielder Fara Williams after his strike against the Blues. She told Final Score:
“The way he gets it up and over the wall with bend and dip so it comes back down, it’s unbelievable. He’s proved for years that he’s a set-piece specialist. It’s a fantastic goal.”
The 28-year-old dynamo is not a one-trick pony, though, as the midfielder has also created 2.1 chances and made three tackles and interceptions per match in the Premier League for Southampton this season.
These statistics show that Ward-Prowse is a creative midfield player who can also get stuck in to win the ball back for his side on a regular basis in the top flight, whilst also being a consistent threat from set-pieces.
Meanwhile, no Villa player has created more than 1.2 chances per game in the division this term and this suggests that the Saints man would be a big upgrade on Emery’s current options in midfield in what he offers in possession.
Therefore, the Spanish coach could land his own version of Beckham – who racked up 214 career club assists – by signing Ward-Prowse with the England international capable of scoring score free-kicks and creating opportunities in abundance.
