James Ward-Prowse’s likeliest next club revealed as West Ham career all but over
James Ward-Prowse looks set to leave West Ham following Nuno Espirito Santo’s appointment with his most probable next move now revealed.
James Ward-Prowse enjoyed a decent start to life at West Ham after joining from Southampton in August 2023, but he has struggled to make a proper impact over the last 18 months and could soon depart.
Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Graham Potter as West Ham boss last Saturday (27 September), and ahead of his first game in charge, he dropped Ward-Prowse from his squad to face Everton on Monday (29 September).
The 30-year-old midfielder previously played under Nuno during a loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season, but was sent back early from his time in the East Midlands after making just 10 appearances in five months.
Ward-Prowse started in all of the club’s first six games of the campaign under Potter prior to his exit, but now seemingly has no future with the Hammers as long as Nuno is in charge.
Ward-Prowse could return to Southampton with West Ham open to offers
According to a new report from talkSPORT (30 September), West Ham will listen to offers for Ward-Prowse in January after he was axed from Nuno’s first squad as they drew 1-1 at Everton.
The same report states that the set-piece specialist would be open to a return to his old club Southampton, who currently sit 19th in the Championship table.
Ward-Prowse joined the Saints’ academy at the age of eight in 2003, and progressed through their youth ranks to make 410 first-team appearances for the club between 2011 and 2023.
Nuno has praised Ward-Prowse despite Nottingham Forest and West Ham snubs
Potter was criticised for leaving Ward-Prowse on the pitch by Hammers fans in their recent loss to Crystal Palace, and now that Nuno has joined the club, it certainly seems likely that he moves on again soon for another new chapter of his career.
This latest snub by the Portuguese head-coach may come as a surprise to the 30-year-old, however, considering previous comments he has made about his talent.
Back when Ward-Prowse signed on loan for Forest, Nuno said: “He is different. His experience and quality, his talent and his knowledge of the game. I think he can help us a lot.”
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Then when he was recalled, Nuno gave a glowing review of his abilities, saying: “It was very hard because since James came in he was a big help for us. I had the chance to speak to him and explain that it wasn’t an easy situation and every game he played he helped us.
“There was a moment where he was not playing and then his parent club told us that their intention was to call for him and the intention was that everybody felt that the decision was for the best for all parties.”
With that said, Ward-Prowse may well be left confused at his treatment in East London, as he has not even had a chance to prove himself under Nuno again, but a dream return to Southampton could be exactly what his career needs at this stage.