Nottingham Forest legend Garry Birtles wants the Reds to target Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse during the summer.
The Reds defeated the Saints 4-3 at the City Ground last night and the midfielder was instrumental despite the defeat.
Ward-Prowse has been at St Mary’s for the whole of his career, making over 400 appearances for the club.
The 28-year-old won’t be playing for the club in the Championship though and a move is on the cards.
After last night’s defeat at Forest, the Saints are now eight points shy of safety with just nine to play for.
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Ward-Prowse has been linked with several clubs during his career and it’s admirable that he’s not moved before now.
Birtles thinks that should the Reds keep their Premier League status intact, they should target Ward-Prowse.
He told The Garibaldi Red podcast: “Why shouldn’t he come to a club like ours?
“The quality of the players coming in, people can see what’s happening here so why not?
“Cooper’s reputation goes before him and he’s a quality player. If we stay up you’ve got to look at players like that and the quality that they could bring to the team.”
Birtles wants Forest to target Ward-Prowse
This would be an amazing coup but it’s highly unlikely that the Southampton man is a realistic target.
Ward-Prowse has been linked with several clubs in the past, with Tottenham and Aston Villa both mentioned.
Forest will target some big-name signings if they remain in the Premier League but this might be a step too far.
Ward-Prowse would be an amazing player to sign.
His set pieces are unrivalled in the Premier League and he currently needs one more goal from a free-kick to beat David Beckham’s record.
Ward-Prowse has received plenty of praise from his teammates in the past.
In February 2022, Oriol Romeu called the captain ‘unbelievable’ and he does look destined for bigger things.
If it was up to Birtles, he’d be at the City Ground next season.