Liverpoolshould consider signingJames Ward-Prowseas theSouthamptonstar could be a ‘smart squad option’ at Anfield,RedmenTVpresenterPaul Machinhas told GIVEMESPORT.
Having already acquired Alexis Mac Allister in a Ԁєɑłworth up to £55million, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on luring further fresh faces to Merseyside.
Liverpool transfer news – James Ward-Prowse
According toMailOnline,Liverpoolare prepared to play the waiting game as they are unwilling to meet Southampton’s £50million valuation of Ward-Prowse.
The ɾєρօɾτ suggests the Reds would be tempted to head to the negotiating table if the England international’s price tag is halved as the transfer deadline nears.
ButLiverpoolare not the only side eyeing Ward-Prowse as transfer insider Dean Jones recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthat a bidding war could ensue due to up to four Premier League clubs being in the hunt for his signature.
It is understood that West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur arepushing hardestfor the central midfielder, who is expected to leaveSouthamptonafter suffering relegation to the Championship.
Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers have alsoshown an interestin Ward-Prowse, with an immediate return to the Premier League on offer.
What has Paul Machin said about Ward-Prowse?
Machin believes Ward-Prowse could be a shrewd signing asLiverpoollook to add more homegrown talent to their ranks.
The presenter feels theSouthamptoncaptain is capable of making an impact as the Reds prepare to compete in next season’s Europa League.
Machin told GIVEMESPORT:”If a good value Ԁєɑł could be struck,Liverpoolneed homegrown players. This is the kind of Ԁєɑł that Chelsea and Manchester City have picked upon over the years.
“He’s good enough to come in to a variety of games and is very much good enough to play at the Europa League level.James Ward-Prowsecould actually be a smart squad option forLiverpool.”
Would Ward-Prowse be a good signing for Liverpool?
Ward-Prowse could giveLiverpoolan extra attacking dimension from the middle of the park as, according toFBref, he averaged more goals, assists and shots per 90 minutes than Jordan HєɴԀerson last season.
Despite being in a struggling side which eventually suffered relegation from the top flight, the 28-year-old still found the back of the net11 timesin all competitions, emphasising that he is more than capable of making his presence felt in the final third of the pitch.
Ward-Prowse is also deadly from set-pieces, with David Beckham being the only man to havescored more free-kicksin Premier League history, which could be used to Liverpool’s advantage if he were to єɴԀ up at Anfield.
WhoScoredranked him as Southampton’s top performer during the 2022/23 campaign, highlighting that he should not be preparing for a season in the Championship.
