Carlton Palmer believes Aston Villa will have to pay over the odds to capture James Ward-Prowse after receiving a big-money offer for Jack Grealish.
Premier League champions Manchester City have tabled an English record bid of £100million for Grealish as they look to prise the talisman away from his boyhood club.
It has been reported that Villa are expected to accept the offer despite the England international still having four years remaining on his £120,000-per-week deal.
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Prior to City’s bumper offer being lodged, Villa boss Dean Smith had set his sights on persuading Southampton to sell Ward-Prowse but saw a £25million bid rejected.
Ward-Prowse has played every minute in consecutive Premier League campaigns and Saints are keen to hold onto the midfielder.
He contributed seven assists and scored nine goals, including a brace of free-kicks in Southampton’s 4-3 win at Villa Park, last term.
Ex-Southampton midfielder Palmer believes Villa will have to increase their opening offer significantly if they are to have any chance of Saints agreeing to let their captain leave St Mary’s.
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Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Palmer said: “I think an offer of £35million or £40million will get him out of Southampton but they will have to pay over the odds for players because people know they have this money. That’s unfortunate.
“Ideally, Aston Villa would have liked to have done their business before the offer for Grealish.”
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