Second source tips Tottenham to sign Prem ace Guardiola labelled the best he’s ever seen
A second source has confirmed Tottenham are mulling a summer move for a Premier League star Pep Guardiola previously claimed is the best he’s ever seen at one aspect of the game.
Whether Antonio Conte will be at Tottenham’s helm next season remains a mystery. However, according to the Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke, the Italian’s era is ‘coming to an end’.
Who’s in charge will have a major effect on how Spurs approach the summer window. Indeed, if a new manager who favours a back four is brought on board, the club would have no use for specialist wing-backs, for example.
However, one position any Tottenham manager will wish to address is central midfield. The club already boast fine options such as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, though the latter is a long-term injury absentee.
Bentancur recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL that’ll keep him out of action until around November. Ideally, Spurs would have a plethora of viable options on board to ensure they need not rush the Uruguayan back ahead of schedule.
talkSPORT recently put Tottenham in the frame to sign Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse at season’s end. The 28-year-old has spent his entire professional career with the Saints, though that may soon change.
The outlet claimed Southampton won’t stand in Ward-Prowse’s way in the event they’re relegated to the Championship. They currently sit 19th in the table.
The Saints skipper is their highest earner and pockets around £100,000-a-week – a salary that’ll be very difficult to both justify and afford in the second tier.
West Ham too were mentioned as a potential destination, though they’re in their own relegation trouble. Even if the Hammers survive, a move to Spurs who regularly compete in Europe would arguably hold greater appeal anyway.
Now, a second source in Football Insider have echoed the claims Spurs could move for Ward-Prowse.
The online outlet stated Spurs are monitoring the midfielder’s situation ahead of a potential summer move.
It’s reiterated Southampton will struggle to retain Ward-Prowse if they did attempt to keep him for a promotion push.
Ward-Prowse’s current deal with Southampton does not contain a release clause. As such, a transfer fee would have to be negotiated from scratch, though Southampton’s bargaining position would be weakened if they were to be relegated.
Ward-Prowse wows Guardiola
Among Ward-Prowse’s many stellar traits is his deadly delivery from set pieces as well as his ability to score direct from free-kicks.
His tally of 17 goals direct from free-kicks is just one behind Man Utd legend David Beckham’s 18 in the Premier League era. The gap to joint-third on that list (Gianfranco Zola, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo) is a hefty five.
His dead ball abilities previously drew an almighty compliment from Man City boss Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard has seen his fair share of free-kick specialists in his time, not least Lionel Messi during his stint at Barcelona.
However, it was Ward-Prowse who he labelled the best he’s ever seen from the dead ball.
“They have the best free-kick taker I have seen in my life in [James] Ward-Prowse,” said Guardiola after a hard-fought 1-0 victory in December, 2020.
