Southampton boss Will Still is planning to offer St Mary’s icon James Ward-Prowse a route back to familiar surroundings during the winter transfer window after he has been frozen out by new West Ham United head coach Nuno Espirito Santo in the opening days of his reign, GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Andrew Dillon has revealed.
Saints did business with the Hammers before the summer deadline last month, with Mateus Fernandes completing a switch worth up to £42million to the east Londoners a matter of weeks after Kyle Walker-Peters headed to the capital, and influential figures behind the scenes are in line to hold fresh negotiations in the coming months.
Saints Keen to Seal Ward-Prowse Return to St Mary’s
Southampton are plotting a sensational move to re-sign Ward-Prowse in January, according to respected journalist Dillon, as his drop down the West Ham pecking order has coincided with the south coast side seeking ways to improve their chances of sealing an immediate return to the Premier League.
The 11-cap England international, who swapped boyhood club Saints for the Hammers in a £30million deal following relegation from the top flight in 2023, was omitted from the matchday squad when his current employers headed to Everton for Nuno’s first match in charge earlier this week.
Dillon has confirmed that Ward-Prowse has been told by the tactician that he has no future at West Ham and it is unlikely that he will be allowed anywhere near the first-team squad for training, resulting in Southampton sniffing an opportunity to pounce at a time when plans are being made for the winter transfer window.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: James Ward-Prowse made two key passes and won one ground duel during West Ham United’s defeat to Crystal Palace last month
Having been a regular starter under Nuno’s predecessor Graham Potter, who described the central midfielder as ‘very dangerous’ from set pieces, there is an appetite to secure more game time elsewhere after it has been made clear that he has been cast aside at the London Stadium.
Southampton are set to be among the sides prepared to hand Ward-Prowse a mid-season exit route from West Ham, Dillon has suggested, and there is confidence behind the scenes that he would significantly aid their push to win promotion from the Championship this term.
It is understood that the 30-year-old, who is on a contract worth £115,000-per-week before bonuses, did not have an argument with Nuno when he was told that he is not in the former Nottingham Forest chief’s plans following his appointment and he took the news professionally.