Tottenham Hotspur transfer target James Ward-Prowse is ‘more creative’ and ‘more attacking’ than Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Ward-Prowse has enjoyed an outstanding season for Southampton and is believed to have attracted admiring glances from some of the Premier League’s top teams as a result.
What is the latest news involving Ward-Prowse?
According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham and Newcastle United are interested in signing the 27-year-old during the summer transfer window, although the Saints are determined to keep hold of their captain.
Ward-Prowse, who has been labelled a "machine", only penned a new five-year contract last August, leaving the south coast club in a very strong position around the negotiating table.
However, that is unlikely to deter the nation’s elite sides from trying their luck, and the Daily Star claim both Manchester United and Manchester City have joined the race for his signature.
It’s believed that Southampton would demand a fee in the region of £60 million if they felt compelled to part ways with their prized asset.
And Ward-Prowse could become a crucial cog in Conte’s ongoing revolution in north London as the Italian tactician looks to overhaul his first-team squad.
What is the latest news involving Ward-Prowse?
O’Rourke believes Ward-Prowse could offer more in the final third of the pitch than current Spurs midfielder Hojbjerg if he arrives at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of next season.
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He told GiveMeSport: “If there's any inkling that he could maybe leave Southampton, I'm sure there will be a lot of clubs, not just Tottenham, interested in him as well.
“And for me, he's a different player to Hojbjerg, he's probably more creative, more attacking, and his set-pieces are just a massive thing in his armoury that would obviously boost a lot of clubs.”
Is Ward-Prowse an upgrade on Hojbjerg?
Hojbjerg has started 33 Premier League games this season and has partnered January signing Rodrigo Bentancur in the engine room in the second half of the campaign.
Nevertheless, the Denmark international has been linked with a move to Newcastle, and Conte may well be searching for an upgrade in the middle of the pitch.
While Hojbjerg has racked up three goals and four assists in 45 appearances across all competitions throughout 2021/22, Ward-Prowse has registered 10 goals and eight assists in five fewer outings.
It’s clear, therefore, that the Southampton leader carries a greater attacking threat, but it remains to be seen if he moves away from his boyhood club this summer.