A HUGE price-tag of £75million is being quoted by Saints for clubs interested in buying James Ward-Prowse, according to Chronicle Live in Newcastle.

Saints have repeatedly expressed their desire to keep Ward-Prowse at the club, with their skipper signing a new long-term contract last summer, after a bid of £25million from Aston Villa was swiftly rejected.

But that has not stopped rumours of reported interest from various Premier League clubs in snapping up the England international again this summer.

Bookmakers Sky Bet have listed West Ham as odds-on 10-11 favourites to sign Ward-Prowse this summer, with Newcastle priced at 5-1. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest.

And the Chronicle claim any club who have enquired about the 27-year-old have been told by Saints it would take £75million to prise him away from St Mary's.

The report goes on to claim Ward-Prowse is earning £100,000-a-week at Saints, with Newcastle able to cover that value should they sign him, following the takeover of the club by Saudi Arabia's PIF last year.

The Magpies, managed by Eddie Howe, finished four places and nine points above Saints in the Premier League last season and have already moved to sign former Saint Matt Targett and goalkeeper Nick Pope this summer.

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