Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

James Ward-Prowse is a shock £20million summer transfer target for Manchester City, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.

The 20-year-old Southampton midfielder is on City’s radar despite signing a five-year deal on £20,000 a week in January.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman insists Acadamy graduate Ward-Prowse has a big part to play at St Mary’s but the new contract was also designed to ward off interest from bigger clubs.

(Image: Getty)

Manchester United are known to have scouted him, Liverpool also maintain a keen interest, while Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino – who managed the player when he was in charge on the south coast – is desperate to sign him.

Ward-Prowse is seen as one of the England Under-21 side’s brightest stars and, after playing in the European Championship for the young Three Lions in the Czech Republic this summer, he will be upgraded to Roy Hodgson’s senior squad.

City, set to lose James Milner to Liverpool, are also keen on Ross Barkley.

In pictures - Everton 1-0 Southampton:

Also, Ward-Prowse is set for a fast track into the England senior side when his tour of duty with the Under-21s is complete, writes Steve Stammers.

The 20-year-old midfielder is a regular for Gareth Southgate’s team, and is a certainty for the squad that goes to the Czech Republic for the UEFA under-21s championship this summer.

But his performances for club and country have caught the eye of national manager Roy Hodgson - and a call-up for the seniors is on the cards.

(Image: Getty)

Asked about Ward-Prowse, Hodgson said: “Yes, we like him. We have kept our hands off him simply because of the Under-21s.

“But we know he is a big prospect and the moment he comes back from the Czech Republic, he will be very much in our thoughts because we like him very much.”

Southgate made him captain when England beat Germany 3-2 six days ago – a match in which he scored the winning goal.

He has also shown no ill-effects from the foot injury suffered against Swansea in September that ruled him out for 10 weeks.