Arsenal icon urges former club to complete signing of ‘one of the best passers in England’

Jason Soutar
Arsenal-linked James Ward-Prowse holds the ball during a match

Former Premier League midfielder Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to sign Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.

The 27-year-old scored ten Premier League goals last term as the Saints finished 15th, four points above the relegation zone.


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He has been linked with a move away from his boyhood club with West Ham and Manchester United both in the running.

Ward-Prowse spent time with England during this month’s disappointing international break and his club are likely to demand a high fee for their star player should he leave this summer.

Despite not being in the mix to sign Ward-Prowse, ex-Arsenal midfielder Merson believes his former team should make a move to sign the Southampton talisman.

“Arsenal cannot allow West Ham to buy James Ward-Prowse,” Merson wrote in his Daily Star column. “I think he is a great signing for whoever gets him. I think he is one of the best passers of the ball in England.

“Him and Trent Alexander-Arnold see things few other English players do and they can spray it around the pitch because they have such a good range of passing.”

He added: “I don’t understand why Arsenal are not pulling out all the stops to try and take James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.

“Arsenal need to buy experience and they would be buying an experienced England international who knows the Premier League and would make a huge difference to them.

“They are crying out for a player who can spray the ball around from the middle of the pitch.”

Elsewhere, Arsenal are interested in signing Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, according to David Ornstein.

The Gunners have reportedly had a €30m offer turned down for the Argentine.

Martinez is believed to be ‘keen’ on the switch, with Mikel Arteta looking for more depth in defence.

After their initial offer being rejected, Arsenal will ‘keep pushing’ to get a deal done, Ornstein added.