Gabby Agbonlahor suggests 28-year-old Liverpool target just isn’t worth £40m

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Reported Liverpool target James Ward-Prowse isn’t worth paying £40m for at the moment.

Ward-Prowse has been linked with a move to Anfield ever since it became clear Southampton would be relegated from the Premier League last season. The latest reports suggest that they’re still keeping a close eye on the England man’s situation should his price-tag drop.

As per The Daily Mail, that valuation currently stands at the £50m mark. But after James Maddison moved to Tottenham Hotspur for more like £40m yesterday, TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that Ward-Prowse is worth even less.

“I’d say less,” the pundit said, when asked whether the Southampton captain is worth more than Maddison. “What Maddison offers, when you watch him, he’s just the perfect player for Spurs isn’t he.

“I do love Ward-Prowse, but I wouldn’t say he’s a £40m player, no. Not at the moment.”

Ward-Prowse not ruled out for Liverpool

At this point, it feels incredibly unlikely that Liverpool are targeting Ward-Prowse this summer. At 28, he doesn’t fit the profile for what Jurgen Klopp is looking for. Especially not at the prices being mentioned.

But as the weeks go by without any movement on other targets, he remains an option still.

The 11-cap England international probably wouldn’t be a popular arrival. Rightly or wrongly, he’s perhaps perceived as a bit of a plodder. Plenty of supporters would likely see his signing as a sign of the dying ambition inside Anfield.

Maybe that’s unfair, though. After all, Ward-Prowse has proven himself in the Premier League year after year after year.

He isn’t just a free-kick merchant, the Saints academy graduate is an effective box-to-box midfielder. Ward-Prowse may have just been relegated with Southampton, but he was also a big part of the side who managed four consecutive top eight finishes.

With the club now relegated to the Championship, he’s earnt his stay in the top division. Whether he’s likely to get it or not will depend on Southampton lowering their asking price, though.

Regardless of if they do or don’t, we can’t see it mattering to Liverpool. They’re much more likely to pursue a move for Ward-Prowse’s Saints teammate Romeo Lavia. As long as he remains on the table though, you can’t say anything for certain.