Manchester United are eyeing Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.

The Sun says that could spark a £75million summer tug-of-war, as Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the Southampton skipper.

Erik ten Hag faces a huge rebuilding job at Old Trafford and has already started drawing up a hit-list.

And he has the OK to go for Ward-Prowse, 27, with West Ham intent on keeping Declan Rice for one more season.

Old Trafford sources reckon he can play in the midfield holding role.

Ward-Prowse earns around £100,000-a-week with Saints, meaning his salary — even with a hefty hike — is no stumbling block either.

His five-year contract runs until June 2026, and he is not pressing for a move although the lure of joining one of football's big guns would be hard to resist.

Guardiola wants a midfielder to replace the departing Fernandinho. The City boss has called JWP one of the world's best dead-ball specialists.

But he would not be guaranteed regular first- team action at the Etihad.