Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse was the subject of serious summer ‘interest’, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Southampton’s transfer battle

The Daily Mirror claimed that Premier League sides West Ham and Newcastle United were both keen on signing the 27-year-old during the recent window, though a move failed to materialise before the deadline.

The Saints stood firm in their transfer stance and held the upper hand given their captain still has four years remaining on his contract, so were successful in their attempts to maintain his services.

The Latest: Ward-Prowse’s ‘unwelcome’ interest

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones said that Southampton still wouldn’t be looking to entertain selling Ward-Prowse but confirmed the interest was very much 'real':

“With Ward-Prowse, there was interest in him in the summer, and it was like the first time we’d ever seen anything real happening around him. It was very unwelcome from a Southampton point of view, and I think they would still have that stance now.”

The Verdict: Boost for Hasenhuttl

Southampton will have been delighted to keep Ward-Prowse beyond the window as he’s such an integral member of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s starting XI.

The England international pretty much starts every fixture he is available for every season and is constantly one of the club's highest performing players (WhoScored).

The Saints are currently underachieving though so will need to quickly turn their form around if they don’t want their standout performer to consider leaving at the next given opportunity.