By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Southampton are reportedly exploring a move to bring James Ward-Prowse back to St Mary’s, and this is one transfer story which makes plenty of sense.
The Sun report that the Saints are considering re-signing their former captain, who is believed to be open to returning to the club where he spent 20 years.
Ward-Prowse has one year remaining on his West Ham contract and could reportedly be allowed to leave for a nominal fee.
Perhaps the biggest clue came on Tuesday night.
Nuno Espírito Santo made eight changes for West Ham’s excellent 4-1 Carabao Cup victory at Southampton, yet Ward-Prowse wasn’t even named on the bench against his former club.
Ward-Prowse Exit Probably Suits Everyone
That’s quite a turnaround from pre-season.
Ward-Prowse featured heavily during the summer and was one of West Ham’s better performers, leading many of us to conclude that he’d patched up his differences with Nuno.
Yet once the competitive football started, he was immediately pushed back down the pecking order.
The 31-year-old joined West Ham from Southampton in 2023 following a £25million deal and enjoyed a decent first season, but subsequent loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Burnley have failed to properly reignite his career.
And it’s difficult to see things improving at the London Stadium.
The emergence of Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kanté has increased Nuno’s midfield options considerably, while the £22million arrival of Arne Engels provides another obstacle to regular football.
Ward-Prowse remains an experienced Championship player with outstanding set-piece delivery.
But opportunities at West Ham now look slim to none.
A return to Southampton might just be best for everyone.
JWP returning to the Saints fantastic news. A brilliant player, model professional.
Welcome home..we already have new words.
Less than 1 million pounds.
أهلا بعودتك
Welcome home
From what I hear, JWP is a model professional, so despite being sent to Coventry by Nuno (where on earth did Nuno learn his management techniques, it’s like something from the Fergie era) in the same way as others, JWP has just got on with being a good guy. I suspect, however, once he’s back at Saints, he may explain why Nuno has blanked him. He didn’t call Nuno ‘baldy’ it appears.
Okay, I give up! What was the baldy story????
Another 100k a week off the wage bill if he goes, another five million a year nearer financial sanity at the club.
I hope JWP goes, and gets to play regularly. Seems a good professional. It just never worked out for him here. Even the free kick goals disappeared.
I don’t see us getting Hardwood Bellis either.
He can’t be valued at much on the books, with one year left on his contract he’s very nearly amortised away plus he’s brought in loan fees.
A nominal fee balances the books and gets rid of his wages.
Another of too many bad signings in little contribution made.
I’m surprised he fell out with Nuno, nobody else seems to have.
Re being considerate of young players mistakes, can I include Scarles in that. He appears to have been around forever, simply because he made his debut at 16 under David Moyes, but he is still a young player and doesn’t deserve the pile on he gets
Alvarez Mexican captain A good player Martin when used correctly He a standard above us mate Let’s talk truths not hard done bys
I think we will have to disagree, Mick. All I ever saw was late challenges and poorly timed lunges, a ticking red card time bomb…
He’s only ever been red carded once for us, in basically 60 appearances for us right? And that was 2 yellows.
That’s what its it’s all about Martin Opinions Healthy for the game
Yes get it done plus a fee with Bellis coming our way Simples
Simples it’s not, far from it, unfortunately.
Even though he has been playing well don’t think JWP fits into a young, quick passing midfield with constant movement off the ball – stating the obvious of course. JWP can bring plenty to a team with a different style of play.
I hope we see Engels, Mukasa, Orford, Kante play regularly for WHU and then come December the team would have a tried & proven midfield of undoubted quality. While we have Soucek, Alvarez & Magassa as backup for the moment. This could have the makings of a really good midfield come December, if they have played together regularly with plenty of practice/coaching in the meantime. That would be something to have. They’ll be mistakes and inconsistent days (Kante against Charlton) but the fans know this.
On the other hand if NES goes back to 2DMs and a roving Pablo/Piroe as his go-to setup, we will be doomed to the insantiy of yet another 3rd doolally manager and all bets are off.
At a guess, I’d say Magassa (I think he could be DM or box-to-box – not sure) will need to have improved and be more consistent to get into that midfield. For me that is why he is at WHU, to progress and become a better player. For that need a higher level of one-to-one coaching at WHU – whole nother story & I’m repeating myself, but having this at WHU would really help the club in a lot of ways – an academy+, in a way with high standard coaches.
Simples it’s not, far from it, unfortunately.
Prowse and 18m for Bellis
Sounds good could be a last minute transfer.
Nice thought Simon but Bellis isn’t coming to us when there are PL clubs looking to sign him. Also think he is too similar to what we’ve got. All muscle and no pace. Not sure why it has all gone quiet on Cresswell in France?
I wish JWP well his behavior has always been professional and he gave us one good season
Who knows if the baldie story is true?