JAMES WARD-PROWSE has reportedly become Southampton’s highest ever-earner on £100,000 a-week.
But despite the 26-year-old being the club’s top-paid player, the Saints didn’t place a release clause in his contract, according to The Athletic.
Which means the England midfielder could possibly leave Saint Mary’s stadium for the right price in future, The Athletic claim.
Tottenham were chasing the star, who scored eight goals in 38 games for the Saints last season.
Aston Villa were also interested in Ward-Prowse and reportedly had a £25m bid turned down for the midfield maestro.
Although he won’t be going anywhere for the foreseeable future after penning a five-year deal at Southampton this week, the Premier League duo may be able to prise Ward-Prowse away one day.
Speaking on his new deal, Ward-Prowse said: “To commit my future again to this football club is something I’m incredibly proud of and a new chapter begins now for me.
“It’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve had that link away and that talk.
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“But I think I was very keen to sit down and talk to the club and it’s worked both ways.
“They’ve sat down and told me their admiration for me and the way they want me to lead the team.
“And this club has done so much for me, I can’t put into words the opportunities and chances that they’ve given me and I’m incredibly grateful for the club for doing that.
“I’m over the moon. I think I’m probably the happiest man in the world right now. To come to this decision, I think has been massive and is a big step forward.”
Ward-Prowse, who began his Saints career in the club’s academy at the age of eight, has made 323 first-team appearances for the side since making his senior debut at 16 in a League Cup clash against Crystal Palace in 2011.
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