West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse
West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse
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The midfielder arrived at London Stadium from Southampton for around £30m in August 2023 as one of David Moyes' major signings following the sale of Declan Rice.
Three years later, the Hammers could allow him to return to St Mary's for next to nothing.
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According to The Sun, Southampton are exploring a move to re-sign their former captain before the transfer window closes, with Ward-Prowse believed to be open to returning to his boyhood club.
And with only one year remaining on his West Ham contract, Nuno Espirito Santo's side could allow him to leave for a nominal fee.
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Ward-Prowse spent almost his entire footballing life at Southampton before joining West Ham.
He entered their academy at eight years old, made 410 senior appearances and eventually became club captain before leaving following relegation in 2023.
His first season with West Ham went reasonably well, too.
Ward-Prowse scored seven Premier League goals and provided seven assists, while adding another four assists during the Hammers' Europa League campaign.
David Moyes highlighted his "quality and experience", as well as the leadership he would bring to the West Ham midfield after signing him.
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But things have unravelled spectacularly since.
Ward-Prowse spent the 24/25 season on loan at Nottingham Forest, where he made just 10 appearances under Nuno before the move was cut short.
When the pair were reunited at West Ham last season, Ward-Prowse failed to play a single minute after Nuno's appointment and was eventually sent to Burnley on loan in January.
This summer initially appeared to offer him another opportunity in east London, but that no longer seems to be a case.
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West Ham travelled to Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, winning 4-1.
Nuno made eight changes to his starting XI, yet Ward-Prowse wasn't even named among the substitutes against the club he represented for two decades.
If there was ever a game for him to get minutes, that was surely it.
West Ham have Championship football to contend with, a long season ahead and Nuno deliberately rotated the majority of his team, but Ward-Prowse still couldn't get into the matchday squad.
The arrival of Arne Engels has added another major midfield option, while Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kanté are also pushing for opportunities.
So there simply doesn't appear to be a route back for Ward-Prowse.
West Ham paid around £30m for Ward-Prowse just three years ago.
Now they could effectively give him back to Southampton for a nominal fee.
Indeed, the situation isn't quite as simple as describing that as a £30m loss.
Ward-Prowse has given West Ham three years of his four-year contract, produced regularly during his first campaign and has also spent time away on loan.
His remaining book value will therefore be significantly lower than the original transfer fee. But it still demonstrates just how dramatically his standing at the club has changed.
In August 2023, West Ham were spending £30m to make Ward-Prowse one of the centrepieces of their post-Rice midfield rebuild.
By August 2026, they're reportedly prepared to receive very little just to facilitate his departure.
For Ward-Prowse himself, Southampton would provide the obvious destination.
The midfielder spent 20 years at the club and admitted when he left that Southampton would "always" remain part of him.
Saints are now looking for midfield reinforcement following Shea Charles' departure for Fulham and are considering whether an agreement can be struck with West Ham.
There doesn't appear to be an agreement just yet but it does appear that Ward-Prowse is on his way out of West Ham.
The rise of Orford and Kante this summer, alongside the arrival of Engels, has forced the midfielder further down the pecking order and it would make sense for the Hammers to part ways.
It would also free up a large chunk of the club's wage bill, with Ward-Prowse believed to be one of the highest-paid players in the current West Ham squad.
Does it make sense to allow JWP to leave the club for next to nothing, just to get him off the wage bill? Who should West Ham target to replace him before the end of the window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...