---
title: "Aston Villa: Preliminary move made for Ward-Prowse"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-preliminary-move-made-for-ward-prowse/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-06-19T19:35:09Z"
modified: "2021-06-19T19:35:09Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Preliminary move made for Ward-Prowse

**Aston Villa have made preliminary moves in their attempts to sign Southampton star James Ward-Prowse, according to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-excited-by-aston-villa-plan-amid-major-update-on-ward-prowse-bid/).**

### The Lowdown: Villa hoping to sign Ward-Prowse by July 5

Villa were [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 captain a day after agreeing a club-record deal for Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia.

[Reports](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-stepping-up-plan-to-lure-ward-prowse/) since then have suggested that owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris will back a move and want a deal finalised in time for Villa’s pre-season return, which is [July 5](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-pre-season-arsenal-20718271).

That’s in just 16 days’ time, and it now seems as if Villa are starting to ramp up their attempts to sign the set-piece specialist.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359416″\]

### The Latest: Source shares update

[Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-excited-by-aston-villa-plan-amid-major-update-on-ward-prowse-bid/) shared a story on Saturday morning, talking to [pundit Noel Whelan](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-excited-by-aston-villa-plan-amid-major-update-on-ward-prowse-bid/) about a possible Ward-Prowse transfer.

Within the story, they claimed a [Villa source](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-excited-by-aston-villa-plan-amid-major-update-on-ward-prowse-bid/) has informed them ‘the club have made preliminary moves’ for Ward-Prowse – six words which appear to show Villa’s intentions when it comes to signing the midfielder.

\[freshpress-poll id=”360431″\]

### The Verdict: How many more signings will Villa make?

A deal for [Buendia is now official](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/Villa-confirm-club-record-Buendia-signing/), as is one for [Ashley Young](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/Villa-announce-Ashley-Young-signing/), so Ward-Prowse could well become the club’s third senior addition of the current window.

If Villa are successful in their pursuit of the 26-year-old, Dean Smith may still decide to bolster his squad, especially with two pending exits.

[Tom Heaton will leave the club when his deal expires at the end of the month](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/Elmohamady-Taylor-and-Heaton-depart/), whereas [Bjorn Engels is finalising a move to Royal Antwerp this weekend](https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1405922108291551234).

Cover for Emiliano Martinez and a fourth senior centre-back may appeal to Smith, so Villa may not be done just yet, even if they spend big on Ward-Prowse.

***In other news: Villa make contact for international defender, find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-transfer-rumours/aston-villa-contact-made-for-mohamed-camara/).***