---
title: "Aston Villa: James Ward-Prowse update emerges"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-james-ward-prowse-update-emerges/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-06-16T17:10:50Z"
modified: "2021-06-16T17:10:50Z"
---

# Aston Villa: James Ward-Prowse update emerges

**Aston Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris are set to back a move for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, according to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-stepping-up-plan-to-lure-ward-prowse/).**

### The Lowdown: Villa haven’t wasted any time this summer

Villa have already brought in [Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City in a club-record deal](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/Villa-confirm-club-record-Buendia-signing/), and it now appears as if their next big-money move could be one for Ward-Prowse.

Another man who is [set for talks with Villa is Ashley Young](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12333626/ashley-young-aston-villa-latest-club-to-be-linked-to-inter-milan-free-agent), whereas the club were [reportedly](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-josh-king-transfer-20780636) in discussions with striker Josh King earlier this month.

\[freshpress-poll id=”361907″\]

### The Latest: Ward-Prowse update

A Villa source informed [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-stepping-up-plan-to-lure-ward-prowse/) that both Edens and Sawiris are keen for a deal to be completed in time for the midfielder to be at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground for the start of pre-season.

Dean Smith’s side are set to return for [pre-season on July 5](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-pre-season-arsenal-20718271), which is in 19 days time. The Villa hierarchy want the central midfielder through the door by then to bed the free-kick specialist into Smith’s system.

A move for Ward-Prowse will take a huge fee, the [report](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-stepping-up-plan-to-lure-ward-prowse/) adds, and a push for a deal to be wrapped up as soon as possible was aided following his omission from England’s European Championship squad this summer.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359416″\]

### The Verdict: A major coup if a deal goes through

Should Villa seal a deal for Ward-Prowse, it would only add to their [ambition](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/03/aston-villa-owners-elite-club-dean-smith-premier-league) to establish themselves as an elite Premier League side.

Villa fans found out first hand how effective the 26-year-old can be last season when he [scored twice and registered an assist](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-ward-prowse/leistungsdaten/spieler/181579) in a 4-3 win for the Saints at Villa Park.

He appears to be in the prime of his career and has also racked up [269](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-ward-prowse/leistungsdaten/spieler/181579) appearances in the Premier League, and a move for the Saints captain may also help persuade Jack Grealish to remain at the club beyond the summer, amid [links](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-grealish-tells-friends-his-updated-stance-on-quitting-aston-villa-for-man-city-this-summer/) to Manchester City.

***In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Grealish latest, find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-transfer-rumours/aston-villa-fans-react-to-jack-grealish-latest/).***