Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has told This Is Futbol in an exclusive interview that supporters of his old club would be gutted if James Ward-Prowse ever called it quits.
While the 26-year-old midfielder is not currently being linked with a move away from St. Mary’s, BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks mooted the idea of Liverpool signing him.
With Gini Wijnaldum’s contract up at the end of the season, the ex-Tottenham man suggested that Ward-Prowse would be an ideal replacement.
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For Palmer, it would be a move that would leave fans disappointed, and he would not be surprised to see such a transfer happen given Southampton’s history of selling their most valuable assets.
In response to Crooks’ suggestion, the former England international told TIF:
“He’s been there his whole career, so obviously the supporters will be disappointed. But, you know, what I’ve seen over the years, maybe not so much recently, but if you go back in the day, players have come through the academy at Southampton and moved on.
“Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, all of these players who have ambition. I know Southampton have improved a lot and they’ve done a lot, but still, if you get an opportunity to go play at a top club, then obviously you’re going to want to go and explore that.
“Southampton fans will be disappointed, but from the player’s point of view, you should want to improve.”
Having already pinched the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Dejan Lovren, to name a few, you probably could not put it past Liverpool to raid the Saints again in the near future.