Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse could be a good replacement for James Milner after he leaves Liverpool in the summer.
That's according to pundit Micah Richards, who believes Ward-Prowse will be a "smart buy" now that Southampton's relegation from the Premier League has been confirmed.
The Saints' 2-0 home defeat to Fulham on Saturday means they will playing Championship football next season. However, they are unlikely to do so without their skipper.
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Ward-Prowse, now 28, has remained loyal to Southampton, for whom he has made 407 appearances, scoring 54 goals, since joining the club at the age of eight.
But there's a high probability the £40m-rated England international midfielder will be moving at the end of the campaign. And former Manchester City and England defender Richards reckons two of the three teams battling it out for the final Champions League places should be interested.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Richards said: "James Ward-Prowse will be low today. I have been in the situation as a captain when your club are relegated and the responsibility you feel is immense. It is not something you get over easily and he certainly will not be putting himself first.
"But we have to be honest: he is a saleable asset for Southampton and plenty of clubs will be keen on him. He will be a smart buy for someone and it would not be the worst decision in the world if Liverpool, who need a replacement for James Milner, or Newcastle tested the water when the window opens."
Milner is expected to join Brighton & Hove Albion when his Reds contract runs out this summer. The 37-year-old has won every major trophy there is to win during his eight years at Anfield and he will depart the club as a legend.
And Richards, who played alongside Milner at City, said: "What a guy, one of the best with whom I have shared a dressing room. And what a career he has had: he squeezed every last drop from himself and has won everything twice over.
"He always did the right things to get the extra little per cent out of himself. I cannot sit here and say I did the same. Milly could play until he is 40. He is on 616 Premier League appearances — I can see beating Gareth Barry’s record of 652."
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