Tottenham: Conte would 'like to sign' £60m star at Hotspur Way | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur would ‘like to sign’ Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse in the summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 27-year-old has been linked to a host of top Premier League sides in recent months after enjoying an outstanding campaign for his boyhood club.

Ward-Prowse only put pen to paper on a new five-year deal last August, but speculation has continued to mount over his future after registering 10 goals and eight assists in 41 appearances.

According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham and Newcastle United are interested in signing the England international, although the Saints are determined to keep hold of their captain.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star claim both Manchester United and Manchester City have joined the race for Ward-Prowse, who is believed to have a £60 million price tag.

It remains to be seen if anyone is prepared to match the free-kick specialist’s valuation or if he is destined to remain loyal to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s charges for the foreseeable future.

What has Jones said about Ward-Prowse?

Jones believes Ward-Prowse has ‘got something special’ and claims Spurs have ‘noticed his ability’ but has cast doubt over whether the switch is ‘ever going to happen’.

He told GiveMeSport: “Ward-Prowse has got something special about him. There are very few players in the Premier League that have the skill set of Ward-Prowse.

“And he kind of drifts through the season, and you forget about him, and then he’ll come forward time and time again with unbelievable deliveries.

“And Tottenham are certainly one of the clubs that have noticed his ability, and they’d like to sign him. I just don’t know if it’s ever going to happen.”

Do Tottenham need Ward-Prowse?

January signing Rodrigo Bentancur has been a revelation for Tottenham since arriving from Juventus, cementing a place in the starting XI instantaneously.

However, doubts remain over the South American’s long-term partner in the centre of the pitch.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has regularly lined up alongside Bentancur in the second half of the campaign, yet his arguably underwhelming displays have seen him linked with a move to Newcastle.

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On the other hand, promising youngster Oliver Skipp has been sidelined for around three months with a long-term injury, while Harry Winks hasn’t featured from the off since 26th February.

The arrival of Ward-Prowse could perhaps bolster Antonio Conte’s engine room options, therefore, providing a constant attacking threat from deep.