Paul Merson shocked as West Ham make call on Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest
Paul Merson says Nottingham Forest are pulling off a “huge coup” to take James Ward-Prowse from Premier League rivals West Ham United on deadline day.
Speaking on Sky Sports News [15:03, 30 August], Merson claimed he is “surprised” that the switch has been able to happen, which will take Ward-Prowse to the City Ground on a season-long loan.
The England midfielder played in the Hammers’ Carabao Cup win over AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday night, but has been seen as dispensable by Julen Lopetegui and is set to undergo his medical on Friday afternoon [Rob Dorsett, 30 August].
Merson said: “He’s a great passer of the ball and they’ve got a lot of pace going forward and they’ve got him in behind them so it’s a no-brainer.
“I think it’s a good signing and I was quite surprised when I saw it. I think it’s a huge coup from them.”
James Ward-Prowse to leave West Ham United
Having played 50 times last season for West Ham following the first transfer of his professional career from Southampton, Ward-Prowse is now no longer seen as a key player.
The 29-year-old’s game time may be limited this season due to the anticipated arrival of PSG midfielder Carlos Soler.
Lopetegui has used the set-piece specialist sparingly during the opening stages of the Premier League season, with just 17 minutes against Aston Villa and not featuring at all against Crystal Palace.
The deal is understood to be a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy Ward-Prowse [David Ornstein, 30 August], which arguably saves the Hammers slightly in case he sets the world alight in Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest team.
And judging by what Merson thinks of the deal, it could be a huge switch one way or the other.
In other West Ham news, a late attempt has been made to sign a player from Chelsea.
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