Southampton 'lean to James Ward-Prowse' despite Spurs & Crystal Palace transfer interests | OneFootball

Southampton have been told to ignore Spurs and Crystal Palace players to reunite with former captain James Ward-Prowse this summer...

Southampton are eyeing midfield additions, including Alfie Devine of Tottenham Hotspur and Justin Devenny of Crystal Palace, with Shea Charles potentially headed for an exit this summer.

Being removed from the play-offs is incredibly damaging for Southampton, with exits guaranteed in this summer's transfer window. The Leeds United interest in Shea Charles has been strong of late. That said, Leeds' third offer for Charles fell short of Southampton's valuation.

Justin Devenny has emerged as a target for Southampton, with other reports from Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, suggesting Southampton and Preston North End are both keen on a deal to sign Alfie Devine in the summer transfer window as well.

at the end of June but they remain keen on his services and the Saints have joined the race for the versatile midfield profile.

The Southampton verdict on Alfie Devine and Justin Devenny

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FLW’s Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders was asked about the weekend reports that now suggest midfielders Devine and Devenny are on Southampton’s radar from Spurs and Palace respectively.

We asked which one he would prefer Saints to go for, presuming that they are set to lose a midfielder in Charles at some point, and why. He responded: "Yeah, I mean, both will be good replacements for Shea Charles.

"Charles is a huge miss. Like, how do you replace someone as good as Shea Charles in the Championship because he's been outstanding for Saints.

"So, it's a big ask. James Ward-Prowse is heavily linked down here and a lot of the talk is that he's going to come back. Is he a player that they maybe can use that can play in both positions?

"He can play in the eight and he can play as a No.10. So I think they'll lean to Ward-Prowse. That's just my gut feeling.

"But I am a big fan from when I saw Alfie Devine play last year. I thought he was really good. One of the best players for Preston actually whenever I watched him play.

"I think he'd be a really good signing and he kind of fits the Southampton mould."

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If Southampton were to sign Devine, it would look much more like a replacement for Finn Azaz than for Charles. In Tonda Eckert's current system, Devine's strengths are in the final third, where his creativity and ability to combine around the box can hurt opponents.

Asking him to operate regularly as a deeper midfielder would likely limit some of his best qualities. Justin Devenny is also naturally more of an attacking midfielder, but he appears the more adaptable option if Southampton are seeking someone who can contribute in multiple midfield roles.

His energy and ball-carrying suggest he could function alongside a more controlling midfielder such as Caspar Jander or Flynn Downes in a more balanced partnership. For that reason, Devenny arguably looks the better stylistic fit if the Saints are searching for a versatile addition rather than a direct Charles replacement.

It could well be both, with absolutely no guarantee that either Charles or Azaz remains at St. Mary's past the August deadline. Southampton need numerous players this summer, but many won't be able to come in until certain outgoings are confirmed.