Arsenal and Tottenham handed major transfer blow as Man City and Man Utd join race for £29m star

James Ward-Prowse is reportedly a target of both Manchester City and Manchester United, meaning the competition just got that little bit more tough for both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

According to the Daily Star, the Southampton midfielder - who is valued at £28.8m on transfermarkt - has been added to the Reds' summer shopping as they search for two new central midfielders as part of their planned close-season overhaul. But that is set to bring them into direct competition with their local rivals as Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of the England international.

The City boss described Ward-Prowse as the best dead-ball specialist in world football earlier this season. And since then the St Mary’s playmaker, whose contract runs until June 2026, has continued to impress with consistent box-to-box displays most weeks.

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The news comes at a bad time for both Arsenal and Spurs, who are also looking to strengthen their respective midfield ranks.

In fact, speaking at a recent Q&A, 's chief Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold explained Spurs' interest in the Englishman. "Spurs have long been keeping an eye on James Ward-Prowse but I wonder just how expensive he'll be this summer with four years left on his contract and plenty of interested parties. He'd be an excellent addition though for Tottenham with his leadership abilities, dynamic play and of course those set pieces," said Gold.

"I think Harry Winks probably will move on this summer to get regular football but I reckon Conte would want a more attack-minded, creative player to round out his options and allow him to play a 3-5-2. Ward-Prowse does fit the bill nicely as well as