James Ward-Prowse makes West Ham escape decision amid Nuno Espirito Santo freeze out
James Ward-Prowse’s decision on a potential exit from West Ham back to Southampton has emerged since the start of the January transfer window.
West Ham are in disarray after losing 3-0 to bottom side Wolves on Saturday while already in the relegation zone themselves.
But the Englishman can’t get a look in under Nuno Espirito Santo, with Ward-Prowse’s lack of involvement part of a growing disconnect behind the scenes as the manager risks losing the dressing room.
The 31-year-old was signed from the Saints three summers ago under David Moyes but his fortunes have fluctuated hugely as West Ham have cycled through managers since, and hasn’t even been part of a match-day squad since Nuno took over.
James Ward-Prowse not interested in Southampton return
West Ham have already signed Pablo since the window opened and are due to complete a move for Taty Castellanos, with Adama Traore potentially following.
Nuno is said to be desperate to add a centre-back, with Charlie Cresswell and Axel Disasi liked, Niclas Fullkrug has been jettisoned on loan to AC Milan and Luis Guilherme sold to Sporting, while lesser-spotted Guido Rodriguez could leave West Ham for Juventus.
A solution to the stalemate around Ward-Prowse might be expected this month as well, but according to an update from The Times he’s decided he doesn’t want to return to his former side in the Championship.
He has 18 months remaining on his contract after arriving for £30million, having captained Southampton and made a total of 410 appearances for the club.
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Ward-Prowse could outlast Nuno
In most circumstances it would be clear that Ward-Prowse’s strange and disjointed West Ham career is over, and it probably is.
But all bets are off these days at the London Stadium when he’s already seen four managers in his time at the club, all with differing views of his usefulness.
Moyes and Graham Potter found a place for him, albeit not especially successfully, while Julen Lopetegui wasn’t bothered and neither is Nuno.
- £30million signing from Southampton in August 2023
- 51 West Ham appearances under David Moyes in first season
- Loaned to Nottingham Forest but only played 10 times for Nuno Espirito Santo
- Recalled early to make 21 appearances under Graham Potter
- Left out of all West Ham squads by Nuno since
Ward-Prowse was loaned out to Forest when the Spaniard came in, where Nuno himself quickly lost interest and the deal was terminated early.
Whether the midfielder suits the Premier League any longer is another debate, but if he does he surely needs to be used in a three-man set-up in the middle.
Although indications currently are that David Sullivan wants to avoid another sacking it would be far from shocking if that happened anyway sooner rather than later, so Ward-Prowse may be biding his time and hoping to alternate back to a manager who rates him next up.
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