Southampton had 'very unwelcome interest' in £100k-a-week star at St Mary's

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse attracted interest from other clubs in the summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

However, Jones says the south coast outfit did not welcome that interest and that their stance is unlikely to have changed.

West Ham are one club who were said to have been keen on signing Ward-Prowse in the summer transfer window.

In June, the Daily Mirror reported that David Moyes wanted to bring the 27-year-old to the London Stadium.

The newspaper also stated that Ward-Prowse has admirers at Newcastle United. However, with the Englishman having a contract until 2026, it was always going to be difficult to sign him.

He continues to be a key player for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, appearing in all of their league games so far this season.

Jones says Southampton were not, and still are not, looking to entertain interest in Ward-Prowse.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “With Ward-Prowse, there was interest in him in the summer, and it was like the first time we’d ever seen anything real happening around him. It was very unwelcome from a Southampton point of view, and I think they would still have that stance now.”

He is a very experienced Premier League midfielder, having made over 300 appearances in the competition for Southampton.

Ward-Prowse is, of course, also very dangerous from set-pieces, scoring a total of four free-kicks in the top flight last season.

Speaking about the £100,000-a-week England international alongside Gary Neville back in March, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said on LADbible TV (via Daily Echo): “He’s the most underrated player in the Premier League for years.

“And people say maybe he doesn’t have the mobility, but he works hard, he’s