---
title: "Newcastle: Journalist believes Ward-Prowse would be perfect for the Magpies"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours-ward-prowse-eddie-howe/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Aaron Hindhaugh"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2023-03-10T17:10:41Z"
modified: "2023-03-10T17:10:41Z"
---

# Newcastle: Journalist believes Ward-Prowse would be perfect for the Magpies

**Andrew Musgrove believes that James Ward-Prowse would fit the bill perfectly for [Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/).**

### The Lowdown: Newcastle to bolster their midfield

[It was reported back in January](https://theathletic.com/4047267/2023/01/01/eddie-howe-newcastle-transfers/) that midfield was the priority position for Newcastle to improve, but instead, they ended up weakening that area by letting Jonjo Shelvey depart on a permanent transfer.

Therefore, Newcastle will very likely have to strengthen their midfield department come the summer, so finishing in a European place will help their recruitment drive.

[The Magpies have been linked](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-newcastle-united-well-placed-to-sign-southampton-star-james-ward-prowse-with-fire-sale-on-the-cards/) with a move for England international and Premier League stalwart Ward-Prowse, which could be a lot easier if Southampton are relegated this season.

### The Latest: Ward-Prowse could improve the Magpies

Speaking on the [Everything is Black and White podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGPYi2Sls2Q), Toon journalist John Gibson stated that Ward-Prowse could be the ‘locksmith’ that Newcastle need to go to the next level – and Musgrove couldn’t agree more.

He said: “Newcastle have been linked with James Ward-Prowse. I think people on the podcast will know I’m a huge, huge fan of him. Only 28, dead-ball specialist.

“You said there that they need a locksmith, someone who can pick the pass without even thinking about it. For me, he fits that bill absolutely perfectly.”

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

### The Verdict: Strength in depth will be key for Newcastle

While Newcastle have a solid core group of around 14 players, their lack of depth has certainly started to show in the second half of this season, with the Magpies [winning just one league game in 2023](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/spielplandatum/verein/762).

Therefore, bringing in someone such as Ward-Prowse could allow Eddie Howe to have a choice of players for different sorts of games, although he would likely demand one of the bigger pay packets at the club, as he’s already thought to be on [£100,000 per week](https://fbref.com/en/players/3515d404/James-Ward-Prowse) on the south coast.

If Newcastle are to qualify for Europe next season, they will need a far deeper squad to be playing twice a week for a lot of the season, and to have someone such as Ward-Prowse, who’s come in for [praise from Toon legend Alan Shearer](https://www.premierleague.com/news/3076184) in the past, would be a sign of Newcastle taking steps forward in their development under PIF and Howe.

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