Nottingham Forest eye late transfer swoop for West Ham ace Ward-Prowse
Nottingham Forest are interested in signing West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper reported via its website [26 August, 5:55pm] that Forest are keeping an eye on the 29-year-old ahead of the 30 August deadline, as well as Fulham’s Andreas Pereira, with Nuno Espirito Santo keen to bolster his midfield options.
With Ward-Prowse falling down Julen Lopetegui’s pecking order at the London Stadium, he is one player the club could cash in on before 30 August [The Athletic].
Nottingham Forest to sign James Ward-Prowse from West Ham United?
Given the number of signings that the Hammers have made during the summer transfer window, it seems many have forgotten about the talent and ability that Ward-Prowse holds.
He has been a regular figure in England’s top division with the Saints and West Ham, making 381 Premier League appearances, with many as the captain at St Mary’s Stadium before arriving in East London.
The midfielder started 34 of the Irons’ 38 Premier League matches last season, with his performances majorly going under the radar, but still managing to notch seven goals and seven assists.
Of course, most football fans know the former Southampton man for his unbelievable free-kicks, with Ian Wright once labelling him as “elite” and “unstoppable” via X in 2023.
Having signed Ward-Prowse for around £30million in the summer of 2023 [BBC Sport], the Hammers should be holding out for a sizeable transfer offer from Forest if he is to leave this summer.
However, the 29-year-old has only played 16 minutes of the first two Premier League fixtures of the new season, which could suggest that Lopetegui has given the green light for him to be sold before the transfer window slams shut.
The middle of the park is, arguably, Lopetegui’s biggest concern this season, so if Ward-Prowse is to switch to the City Ground this summer, a deal for a new midfielder needs to be nearing completion.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano has shared new details of Kurt Zouma’s exit at the London Stadium.
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