---
title: "Newcastle United: Magpies eyeing James Ward-Prowse"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/james-ward-prowse-transfer-news-southampton/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2023-03-09T18:45:54Z"
modified: "2023-03-09T18:45:54Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Magpies eyeing James Ward-Prowse

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) are reportedly ‘ramping up plans’ for a bumper summer window, which includes the potential signing of Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.**

### The Lowdown: Standout performer

Ward-Prowse has been the standout performer in an otherwise struggling Southampton side in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), leading the way with six goals while also contributing two assists ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/18/Show/England-Southampton)).

Amazingly, [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-ward-prowse/alletore/spieler/181579/plus/0?saison=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&minute=&pos=&torart=207&stand=) of those goals have come from free-kicks, with [17](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-ward-prowse/alletore/spieler/181579/plus/0?saison=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&minute=&pos=&torart=207&stand=) in English football in total, as the Englishman closes in on David Beckham’s record of [18](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/64750176?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA).

### The Latest: Newcastle interest

As per [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-newcastle-united-well-placed-to-sign-southampton-star-james-ward-prowse-with-fire-sale-on-the-cards/), Newcastle are ‘ramping up plans’ for a bumper transfer window, and Ward-Prowse seems to be high on their list of targets.

They are ready to battle some of their fellow top-flight rivals for his signature, as the Saints will find it ‘difficult’ to keep hold of him if they get relegated.

Ward-Prowse became their all-time Premier League record appearance maker (330) after playing in the 1-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday evening, but could be part of a ‘fire sale’ at St. Mary’s Stadium.

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/)

### The Verdict: No-brainer

To sign a player of Ward-Prowse’s quality is surely a no-brainer for the Magpies this summer.

Manchester City manager [Pep Guardiola](https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1484520944060317704?s=20&t=f5K23Ee42q6qcOi9Ka3Rkg) thinks that he is the ‘best’ free-kick taker that he has ever seen, and has hailed his delivery from set pieces as ‘exceptional’.

The Tynesiders currently rank [11th](https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/9075/Stages/20934/TeamStatistics/England-Premier-League-2022-2023) in terms of goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, lower than European-chasing rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Brentford, and signing Ward-Prowse could give them an edge in this department.

Aside from his set pieces, the 28-year-old would also offer leadership skills both on and off the pitch, as he tries to captain Southampton to a relegation escape.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418867″\]