Exclusive: James Ward-Prowse preparing for West Ham transfer
James Ward-Prowse has found himself out in the cold at West Ham following their decision to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager.
The 30-year-old was left out of Nuno’s first matchday squad ahead of the 1-1 draw against Everton, and was again left at home from the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
The boss previously worked with him at Nottingham Forest last season, where he saw his season-long loan cut short and he was sent back to the London Stadium.
Plans are already being made ahead of the January transfer window, with it growing increasingly likely that Ward-Prowse will be moved on permanently.
James Ward-Prowse working on move away from West Ham
Football Insider revealed on 3 October that West Ham will accept offers for Ward-Prowse in January after he was excluded from Nuno’s recent squads.
As a result, the midfielder is believed to be preparing to move on when the window opens and is already considering his possible options.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Ward-Prowse has no future under Nuno and is resigned to leaving the club in January.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “It does appear that Ward-Prowse doesn’t have a future at West Ham.
“I think Ward-Prowse himself is almost resigned to leaving West Ham in January following the arrival of Nuno and is already assessing his options.
“It just seems that Ward-Prowse just has no sort of place in Nuno’s plans at the London Stadium.
“For the player himself I don’t think he’ll figure in Nuno’s plans between now in January and then if Ward-Prowse wants to move away I’m sure West Ham won’t stand in his way.
“Maybe the best solution for all parties will be a pardon of the wares in the January window.”
Instead, the manager will focus on his other players as El Hadji Malick Diouf has been backed to shine under Nuno following an impressive start at West Ham.
Southampton plot Ward-Prowse swoop in January
Ward-Prowse’s West Ham spell is likely all but over following Nuno’s appointment, as the midfielder has no place in his plans for the fututre.
As a result, Ward-Prowse has been tipped to return to Southampton, with the Saints having endured a slow start to the season in the Championship.
The midfielder could return to the club he spent 20 years at before his move to the London Stadium, in what would be a tempting possibility for all parties.
Having made six appearances so far this season, all under the management of Graham Potter, it looks unlikely that he will feature again before the window opens.
Southampton are also not expected to be alone in their pursuit, but will feel they have an edge over their rivals to get the deal over the line.
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