Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield doesn’t see Aston Villa signing James Ward-Prowse this summer.

Sky Sports reported earlier in the transfer window that the Saints had rejected a £25m bid from Villa for their club captain and the Telegraph reported last week [11^th August] that both Aston Villa and Tottenham were preparing moves for Ward-Prowse.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl told the media in his pre-match press conference ahead of Southampton’s opening Premier League match: “Prowsey [James Ward-Prowse] is a guy who everybody wants to have, but I don’t see a scenario for him not to be with us for the next few years” [football.london].

Luke Hatfield also can’t see a deal taking Ward-Prowse to Villa Park happening, telling Transfer Tavern: “The James Ward-Prowse one is tough for them.

"I just think when you sign a player from a club, like you signed Danny Ings it’s never a good look to sign a second player from them and for Southampton as their club captain as well who’s got a lengthy deal, I just don’t see it happening now.

"I think it would take a really large amount of money to even get Southampton considering to sell, especially considering that Ings and Vestergaard have both gone.”

Aston Villa have already completed the signing of Danny Ings from Southampton this summer, with the Saints also seeing defender Jannik Vestergaard leave St. Marys for Leicester City.

Villa have had a brilliant summer transfer window, signing six players, with Ashley Young, Caleb Chukwuemeka, Axel Tuanzebe, Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Emi Buendia all arriving at Villa Park.