Chelsea join Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa in race to sign James Ward-Prowse. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
As per Football Transfers (h/t Football.London), Chelsea have joined a bunch of Premier League clubs that are interested in signing Southampton captain and midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also in the race for the England international, who is expected to leave Southampton following their relegation to the Championship this season.
The report further states that the asking price would be around £50m. The player has worked with the incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino when both of them were at the St. Mary’s Stadium.
The Blues are in the market for central or defensive midfielders in the summer. They are ready to match Paris-Saint Germain’s bid for Sporting Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte.
With Mateo Kovacic likely to leave in the summer, N’Golo Kante’s contract expiring at the end of this season and Ruben Loftus-Cheek wanted by AC Milan, the club could do with an addition or two in that department.
Ward-Prowse is a versatile midfielder who can play both in a pivot and a three. He is technically exceptional on the ball and is adept at set-piece delivery or scoring.
His arrival can also help the club fill one of the home-grown slots that are likely to be vacated by the potential departure of Mason Mount, Loftus-Cheek, and/or more.
Although Chelsea should offer a new deal to Kante, a player who wants to be a part of the club’s future, they must do their bit to sign Ward-Prowse this summer.
The 28-year-old is a good enough player to either be a first-choice midfield partner of Enzo Fernandez or be a backup option in that area.
With no European football to offer, the Blues have to be clever in the transfer market. Getting Ward-Prowse would represent that.
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