Arsenal told to seal Ward-Prowse signing after midfielder exit update - pundit
Arsenal should launch a move for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse this summer, according to Kevin Phillips.
The former Sunderland and England striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the 27-year-old would compliment Thomas Partey at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's squad is light in midfield after sanctioning the loan exit of Ainsley Maitland-Niles in January.
According to Football.London‘s Chris Wheatley (22 February), Granit Xhaka, 29, could leave the club this summer with a move to Roma “certainly possible.”
Xhaka has been a regular starter for the Gunners this season.
When asked who could replace Xhaka, Phillips told Football Insider's Dylan Childs: "Ward-Prowse is the sort of player Arsenal need.
"Technically he is a very, very good player and he's a dead-ball specialist. He's the sort of player Arteta would love in his squad I imagine.
"Could they get him out of Southampton? That's the question. He just signed a new deal and I think he's happy there. It would be a big test if Arsenal could knocking though. He could be persuaded to join.
"Ward-Prowse is the sort of player Arsenal need to be looking at in the summer. He'd compliment Partey well and let's be honest, there's not many better set-piece takers than him in the world."
Ward-Prowse has contributed six goals and seven assists across all competitions for Southampton this season.
His contract at St. Mary's runs until the summer of 2026.