SOUTHAMPTON are gearing up for a battle to keep James Ward-Prowse amid interest from Tottenham and Newcastle, reports suggest.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim Saints are determined to hold on to Ward-Prowse and will not entertain any offers ahead of the summer transfer window.
The midfielder has had another impressive season at St Mary's with nine goals and four assists in 32 Premier League appearances.
The Southampton captain has also been established as one of the Premier League's finest free-kick takers with 14 career goals, just four less than Manchester United legend and record holder David Beckham.
The 27-year-old, who is also in line for an England call-up ahead of the winter's 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has thus attracted interest from some of the league's finest clubs.
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte will demand some immediate improvement if he stays and Ward-Prowse appears to be among the club's targets.
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Newcastle are also looking to put their mega cash into good this summer in order to make an impact next season and the Portsmouth native is seen as a good prospect.
But Ralph Hasenhuttl's side is not keen to do business and is under no pressure to sell as the England international has four more years left in his contract.
However, is has been reported that Ward-Prowse could entertain an offer from the Premier League's top six as that would give him the option of playing in Europe.
The versatile midfielder joined Southampton at the age of nine when he started out in the club's academy.
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Following an impressive eight-year stint in Saints' youth sides he earned a senior call-up.
Ward-Prowse has since amassed a total of 43 goals and 47 assists in 360 appearances with Southampton.
He also earned his first England call-up in 2017 and has two goals in 10 caps to his name.
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