Southampton: £100k-a-week star now facing 'tough decision' at St Mary's

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse will have a move away from the club ‘on his mind’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 27-year-old played no part in England’s recent Nations League fixtures despite being part of Gareth Southgate’s squad, and that could come into his thinking when planning for the future.

Ward-Prowse only put pen to paper on a new five-year contract worth £100,000-per-week in August 2021 following extensive links to the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

And the set-piece specialist enjoyed the most productive season of his senior career last term, registering 11 goals and eight assists in 42 league and cup appearances.

However, Ward-Prowse has still been unable to cement a regular starting berth in the England set-up, often having to settle for a place on the bench or outings against minnows such as San Marino and Andorra.  

The technically gifted ace missed out on the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 squad and has revealed he is using that disappointment as motivation to be part of the World Cup setup.

“It was difficult to take,” Ward-Prowse told Sky Sports on Monday. “It was kind of trying to find that balance of where I was, but I had to use that as motivation to raise my levels even more to make sure I don’t miss out on another one.”

Jones doesn’t believe Ward-Prowse will push for an exit but does reckon that he’ll want ‘assurances’ over what direction his career is going in.

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He told GiveMeSport: “At this stage of his career, he’ll want to have some assurances about where he’s going, and can he finally get a proper running the England squad?

“So, it’s a tough decision for him. I