Transfer rumours: Newcastle want Ward-Prowse, Villa keen on Merino, Rodrigo to take pay cut?

The 28-year-old has spent his entire senior career with his boyhood club to date, coming through the ranks at St Mary's and going on to make almost 400 appearances across all competitions.

However, his future has repeatedly come under speculation in recent years, due largely to a mixture of his own good form and Southampton's struggles at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

The Saints are currently rock-bottom of the top flight and facing the prospect of relegation to the Championship for the first time in over a decade.

Football Insider reports that Ward-Prowse will leave Southampton if they fail to retain their top-flight status, and that Newcastle are interested in snapping him up.

The Magpies are expected to bolster their squad again this summer as they look to build on a campaign which has seen them establish themselves as Champions League contenders under Eddie Howe.

The report claims that a bid of £40m would be enough to prise the England international away from St Mary's should they suffer relegation, although Liverpool and Manchester United are also thought to be keeping an eye on the situation.

Aston Villa to revive interest in Mikel Merino?

Meanwhile, a former Newcastle midfielder could be on his way back to the Premier League, with Aston Villa reportedly ready to rekindle their interest in Mikel Merino.

Unai Emery is understood to have tried to bring the Real Sociedad man to Villa Park during the January window, only for their advances to be shunned by the 26-year-old.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims that Emery remains keen on Merino, though, and will try to sign him again when the summer transfer window opens.

The Spain international has a €60m (£52.7m) release clause in his contract at Sociedad, although the La Liga outfit are understood to be keen to tie him down to a new deal.

Merino's current terms at the Basque club expire in 2025, although the Champions League hopefuls are in advanced talks over a three-year extension.

The midfielder has scored 28 goals and created 23 more in 185 games for Sociedad across all competitions since joining from Newcastle.

Rodrigo Moreno 'must take pay cut to stay at Leeds United'

Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno will reportedly have to take a pay cut if he is to extend his stay at the club beyond the end of his current deal.

Rodrigo's existing contract expires in 2024, although talks over an extension have been put on hold due to Leeds' uncertain Premier League future.

The Whites currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, but they are just two points clear of the relegation zone and reports have suggested that Rodrigo will leave if they suffer relegation.

The managerial situation at Elland Road adds to the long-term uncertainty around the club, with Javi Gracia's deal only thought to take him until the end of the current season as things stand.

Rodrigo has only recently returned from injury but is enjoying his most prolific season in England so far, scoring 13 goals in 24 games across all competitions.

However, Football Insider reports that the 32-year-old will need to take a pay cut on his £100,000-a-week wages if he is to sign new terms at the club.

Borussia Dortmund line up latest British youngster?

Borussia Dortmund have reportedly earmarked Manchester City youngster Shea Charles as the latest British teen to bring to the club.

The Bundesliga outfit have signed and developed a number of youngsters in recent years, most notably Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham.

The latter has been heavily linked with a mega-money move away from the Westfalenstadion this summer, and Bild reports that a move for Charles could be one of their avenues to replacing the England international.

The 19-year-old Man City midfielder has already featured five times for Northern Ireland's senior side, but is yet to make his debut for Man City having progressed through the academy.

Charles is the captain of Man City's Under-21 side, though, and was included in the matchday squad for City's draw at RB Leipzig in the last 16 of the Champions League last month.

The versatile teen, who can also play at centre-back or right-back, is contracted to Man City until 2027 having signed a new long-term deal last year.

Glen Kamara set for Rangers exit?

Elsewhere, Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara is reportedly a target for Ligue 1 side Nantes this summer.

The 27-year-old has featured 31 times for the Scottish giants this season, but he has been limited to 11 league starts, leading to fresh speculation over his future.

Nantes were understood to want Kamara both last summer and in January, and Football Insider claims that they are ready to revive their interest when the window reopens this year.

The Finland international's contract at Rangers runs until 2025.