---
title: "Newcastle: Liam Kennedy talks up James Ward-Prowse"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-liam-kennedy-talks-up-james-ward-prowse/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-10-13T06:41:34Z"
modified: "2021-10-13T06:41:34Z"
---

# Newcastle: Liam Kennedy talks up James Ward-Prowse

**James Ward-Prowse is a ‘realistic and ambitious name’ that could feature on Newcastle United’s shortlist, [Liam Kennedy writes for Newcastle World](https://www.newcastleworld.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-takeover-10-players-newcastle-united-could-sign-to-bolster-the-squad-3412832).**

### The lowdown

[It was only in August](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12385477/james-ward-prowse-signs-new-five-year-deal-with-southampton#:~:text=Southampton%20club%20captain%20James%20Ward,his%20time%20at%20the%20club.) when Ward-Prowse signed a new five-year contract at Southampton.

But Newcastle have become [‘one of the most powerful football operations on the planet’](https://twitter.com/LukeEdwardsTele/status/1445840384328966149) following the completion of their takeover.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola [has declared Ward-Prowse](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/the-best-free-kick-taker-i-have-seen-in-my-life-pep-praises-ward-/1ccfst0ctpf4x1jnjicd2bo44l) the best free-kick taker he’s ever seen.

The Englishman needs to score one more direct free-kick to tie with Sebastian Larsson (11) at the top of the [all-time Premier League list](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/att_freekick_goal).

Ward-Prowse actually haunted Newcastle recently when he scored a 96th-minute penalty to snatch a draw for Southampton at St James’ Park.

### The latest

Kennedy picks out Ward-Prowse as part of a list of players the Magpies ‘could be looking at’.

He says the addition of the ‘set-piece specialist’ would bring a ‘different dimension’ to the Newcastle squad.

Kennedy also notes that Ward-Prowse hasn’t missed ‘a single minute of football in back-to-back seasons’ so should offer ‘energy’.

### The verdict

Ward-Prowse is a very good player who’s still only in his mid-20s, but it’s hard to imagine he would have signed such a lengthy new deal unless he was very happy at Southampton.

Of course, the Newcastle project will be tempting, but he’s on track to become a legend at St Mary’s.

And we should also recognise that his new deal puts the Saints in an immensely strong negotiating position, even in the face of Newcastle’s wealth.

**In other news, [could this Manchester United star be an option?](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-magpies-may-bid-for-anthony-martial-in-january/)**