Crazy cash asked for Saints star
IF NEWCASTLE United needed any reminder of the crazy nature of this summer’s transfer window, then they need only look to their Premier League rivals this summer.
United have been happy shoppers so far in the transfer market and have spent just £15million on Matt Targett and a fee of around £12million for Nick Pope.
Both should be considered bargains given the climate of the market they find themselves embroiled in and it’s certainly been a case of smart business.
English internationals won’t come cheap, just ask any side that have made an enquiry for James Ward-Prowse.
Newcastle have looked at the sought-after midfielder and set-piece expert before but Southampton have now slapped a £75million asking price on the Three Lions star.
Ward-Prowse, who featured in England’s recent UEFA Nations League stalemate against Italy at Molineux, has been offered around clubs this summer.
He’s still only 27 and has four years left of his Saints deal, hence the astronomical quote for his services this summer.
Newcastle need no introduction to Ward-Prowse’s agency, the Stellar Group, having already done business for Pope this week and the Jonathan Barnett-led group also represent current Magpies vice-captain Jonjo Shelvey.
But having already signed Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes for less than £40million from Lyon in January, the club’s new co-owners have quickly learned that there is good value in France when it comes to looking at leading players.
If United did want to add another offensive midfielder to their ranks, they know that Guimaraes’ good friend and international team-mate Lucas Paqueta, also of Lyon, comes in cheaper at around £58million.
As it stands they are looking at other positions but that could easily change give the fluidity pf the market and the fact Newcastle chiefs are receptive to the prospect of signings that might enhance what they already have.
Ward-Prowse’s wages of £100,000 may not be so much of a problem at Newcastle although he’d be looking for a bump on top of that and might just squeeze into United’s wage structure.