How much West Ham could save from James Ward-Prowse transfer following update
James Ward-Prowse’s time at West Ham looks to be coming to an end after two years.
Ward-Prowse was a surprise omission from West Ham’s squad against Everton, with Nuno Espirito Santo having a conversation with the 30-year-old.
West Ham are open to offers for Ward-Prowse following his poor start to the season, and he could be one of the first players to leave in January.
The Hammers’ midfield looked a lot better without him, with Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes stepping up.
West Ham will save at least £3million from James Ward-Prowse exit
Ward-Prowse has worked with Nuno during their time together at Nottingham Forest in the first half of the 2024-25 season.
Things didn’t go to plan for the former Southampton man as his loan was cut short in February after he managed to make just nine appearances.
He was replaced by Magassa for the game against Everton, with the 21-year-old showing that he can adapt to Premier League football.
With the Hammers open to moving Ward-Prowse on in January, the Hammers could save as much as £9million from his exit should he be moved on permanently.
However, a permanent exit seems difficult to facilitate, given that he is on £120,000 a week at the London Stadium and teams will be unwilling to match his salary.
Ward-Prowse is open to a return to Southampton, but the Saints will likely only be able to make a loan move.
Should the 30-year-old be loaned out in January, the Hammers could still save £3million from his wages to the end of the season, should another side cover his salary.
West Ham must move on from terrible transfer strategy
Buying players who are past their best has cost West Ham in recent years.
In the summer of 2024, the Hammers made the terrible decision to pay more than £25million for an ageing Niclas Fullkrug.
Before then, they spent £30million on Ward-Prowse, which didn’t pay off.
This summer, they appear to have made a change and signed the likes of Fernandes and Magassa, 21, and must stick to investing for the future.
The likes of Karren Brady and David Sullivan blame Profit and Sustainability rules for their shortcomings, but it was them who got West Ham into this mess.
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