Aston Villa have been handed a transfer update on their pursuit of England and Southampton star James Ward-Prowse, and it should leave fans buzzing.

What's the story?

According to recent reports from The Guardian, Smith is keen on landing the midfielder this summer  - a move that would fit in with what the Villa boss recently had to say about the club's transfer plans and signing Premier League proven players.

Now, Football Insider claim that "Aston Villa owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris will throw their financial might behind the bid to lure James Ward-Prowse from Southampton."

It's added: "A Villa source has told Football Insider that billionaire owners Edens and Sawiris are backing Smith to the hilt for a third consecutive summer as they look to build on the club-record capture of Emiliano Buendia last week. The owners are keen for a deal to be finalised in time for the midfielder to be at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground for the start of pre-season."

Dean Smith will be buzzing

As Southampton captain, and that too at only 26, the midfielder is the cornerstone of Ralph Hasenhuttl's side, and it's no surprise the Saints boss has waxed lyrical about him.

Speaking about Ward-Prowse's influence, he said: "You have to walk out there and always be the role model of what we are standing for. When you see him running and him fighting for everything in every game then this is what a captain should do.

"Not speaking in the dressing room or telling people how it works, but showing it on the pitch how it works. For me, this is how a captain should be."

The news that NSWE will be backing Smith to the hilt this summer with potential new signings, including getting a big-money deal for Ward-Prowse over the line, should be music to the ears of the Villa boss.

Smith showed last season in the Premier League that with the right kind of financial backing, he can work wonders - you only have to look at the signings of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez and how they turned them into a team just outside the top ten to see that.

[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/aston-villa-dean-smith-transfer-window-premier-league-villa-park-emi-buendia-gregg-evans-gossip-rumours-update-news" title="Read the latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news!"]

Having that same kind of commitment from the owners this time around is a recipe for success, and the Villa boss will be absolutely buzzing with this latest transfer update.

Meanwhile, Villa could deliver another Buendia masterclass with this star...