West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that midfielder James Ward-Prowse’s future likely lies away from West Ham, as Southampton should swoop for an emotional return with their former captain.
West Ham are in serious danger of facing relegation from the Premier League, with the Hammers’ damaging 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest in their most recent outing leaving them seven points from safety in the top flight as it stands.
Absent since the fifth game of the season has been midfielder James Ward-Prowse, who has been completely frozen out of the side ever since Nuno Espirito Santo took charge at the London Stadium.
The former Southampton captain has not been involved in a single matchday squad since the Portuguese head coach took charge of the Hammers, leading rumours of a January exit.
GiveMeSport reported in early October that Southampton were plotting a sensational return for their youth academy product, and with the 11-capped midfielder clearly deemed surplus to requirements at West Ham, his former club should do everything they can to bring him back to the South Coast this January, especially with Espirito Santo’s latest comments.
Nuno Espirito Santo confirms that James Ward-Prowse’s future likely lies away from West Ham
With the January window well underway, West Ham have been one of the most active sides in the top flight so far, having signed both Pablo Felipe and Valentin Castellanos, whilst Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme, and Callum Marshall have all already left the club.
In a recent press conference, Espirito Santo confirmed that Ward-Prowse’s future likely lies away from the club, saying, “The situation with James is clear from some time ago. I think he is not in the options, and it’s for us to find the best solution for his future.”
The 31-year-old was indeed signed by the Portuguese boss on loan from West Ham for Nottingham Forest last summer, but would make just nine appearances for the club before returning to London in January.
For whatever reason, it is clear Espirito Santo doesn’t fancy Ward-Prowse in the slightest, though a major stumbling block in the deal might be his wages, as he currently earns in excess of £115k-per-week with West Ham, according to Capology.
His contract also runs until the summer of 2027, meaning if any move is to be made, the Hammers would still have to pay the majority of his wages, or take a massive hit in paying out the remainder of the contract, putting any move away from the club in doubt.
Though if Southampton can tempt him to cut his wages to return to the South Coast, they must do so by any means, with their hopes of a play-off place slowly fading away.
James Ward-Prowse’s career has stagnated since leaving Southampton for West Ham, and he should promptly reunite with the Saints
Ward-Prowse made 410 appearances for Southampton across all competitions for the club, having come through their academy and becoming an integral figure in the side.
Following the club’s relegation in 2023, Ward-Prowse made a £30 million switch back to the Premier League with West Ham, and made 37 top-flight appearances in his first campaign with the club, scoring seven and assisting seven.
But since then, it has been all downhill.
Ward-Prowse garnered a reputation as one of, if not the best, dead-ball specialists in the Premier League, and even in the world, with his catalogue of free-kick goals and assists from set pieces something to be mesmerised by.
However, the Englishman, who sits behind only David Beckham in goals from direct free-kicks in the Premier League, has not netted a single free-kick goal since leaving the Saints.
With West Ham needing to shift his wages off their books, Southampton desperately needing an injection of experience and quality in their squad to reignite their promotion hopes, a deal for Ward-Prowse would be the best-case scenario for all sides.
As previously mentioned, the only real stumbling block is his wages, and if he is willing to take a major cut in his paycheck, then Southampton may be able to secure his emotional return sooner rather than later.
