---
title: "Aston Villa: Preece shares Ward-Prowse update"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-preece-shares-ward-prowse-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-08-06T13:05:33Z"
modified: "2021-08-06T13:05:33Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Preece shares Ward-Prowse update

**[Ashley Preece](https://twitter.com/PreeceObserver/status/1423257308780449794) has provided an update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.**

### The Lowdown: Ward-Prowse offer turned down

Villa have been [linked](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/06/aston-villa-set-to-make-move-for-southamptons-james-ward-prowse-transfer-window) with a move for the Saints midfielder for two months now and have actually had a formal offer turned down.

[David Ornstein](https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1421106407789764609) of The Athletic revealed last week that Southampton rejected a £25m offer from Villa for the 26-year-old.

Villa have already done business with the Saints by [signing Danny Ings](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/12372804/danny-ings-aston-villa-sign-southampton-forward-for-undisclosed-fee), however, a move for Ward-Prowse looks set to be more complicated.

\[freshpress-poll id=”361907″\]

### The Latest: Preece replies to fan

Reliable reporter [Preece](https://twitter.com/PreeceObserver/status/1423257308780449794) was asked by a Villa fan on Twitter for an update on Ward-Prowse and Axel Tuanzebe.

He replied, admitting ‘Southampton reluctant to sell’ Ward-Prowse – an interesting four-word update.

Preece, who has over [24,000](https://twitter.com/PreeceObserver) followers, got just [over 20](https://twitter.com/PreeceObserver/status/1423257308780449794) likes for his reply, so his update appeared to go under the radar due to the fact he was replying to a fan rather than tweeting it out to the masses.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368552″\]

### The Verdict: Another Smith-Rowe situation?

[Reports](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-southampton-respond-to-big-money-bid-from-aston-villa-for-ward-prowse/) from a Southampton source on Wednesday morning insisted the Saints have no intention to sell Ward-Prowse this summer and will turn down all bids they receive for the [England international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-ward-prowse/profil/spieler/181579).

If that is true, Villa could be in line for another scenario similar to Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.

They had [two](https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1409442112366649344) big-money bids turned down with the Gunners [not interested](https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1409442112366649344) in parting ways with the midfielder, and it seems as if that could be the case in their pursuit of Ward-Prowse.

Will we see the Villains move on to a third English midfield target instead? [Todd Cantwell has also been linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/aston-villa-discussions-underway-for-todd-cantwell/).

[***In other news: ‘So scary’, ‘You what?’ – Lots of Aston Villa fans erupt at confirmed news.***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-transfer-rumours/aston-villa-fans-erupt-at-danny-ings-signing/)