Spurs and Aston Villa target James Ward-Prowse reacts to summer speculation

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Reported Tottenham and Aston Villa target James Ward-Prowse has admitted to the Daily Echo that he found speculation over his future a little overwhelming this summer, but insisted that it was a no-brainer for him to stay at Southampton.

What’s the story?

Ward-Prowse was one of the key Saints players linked with the St Mary’s exit over the past few months.

Unlike Ryan Bertrand, Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard however, the midfielder ended up staying and signing a new contract with Southampton.

It appeared that the most serious interest came from the Villans. According to Sky Sports, they had a £25 million bid for the England international rejected.

But Spurs were also in the running. The Telegraph reported in mid-August that Tottenham were rivalling Villa for his signature.

Ward-Prowse has now been asked whether he found the speculation overwhelming. But he went to online how easy a decision it was to stay put.

“Yeah potentially, like I said it was the first time I had to face it,” he said, as reported by the Daily Echo.

“That was a no-brainer for me to stay here and to be part of this club is really special, I’m pleased and really proud to continue this journey.”

Huge statement for Ward-Prowse to snub Tottenham and Aston Villa

Of course, Southampton would never sanction a move unless their asking price was met.

But Ward-Prowse could have easily made the Saints’ job a lot more difficult by making it clear that he wanted to leave.

And with key players leaving, some would have anticipated that he would be considering his future.

So it is a major statement for Ward-Prowse to not only insist that it was a no-brainer to stay, but to sign a new contract.

He is coming into his peak. So it says a lot that he wants to stay on the south coast for this period of his career.