Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - August 31, 2025 West Ham United's James Ward-Prowse REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse could be made available for transfer in January after falling out of favour under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Santo took over West Ham from Graham Potter on Saturday September 27, and immediately made his thoughts clear on Ward-Prowse by omitting the player from his first matchday squad two days later on Monday against Everton.
Ward-Prowse started all five of West Ham’s prior Premier League games this season under Potter. GiveMeSport has reported that Ward-Prowse has been told by Santo that his West Ham career is virtually over, and that the player is free to leave the club during the upcoming transfer window.
The two have had a fractious relationship in the past, when Ward-Prowse joined Santo’s previous club Nottingham Forest on loan from West Ham in the summer of 2024. Ward-Prowse was frozen out of the first team picture at Forest – who subsequently terminated the loan and sent the player back to the London Stadium in January of 2025.
Ward-Prowse joined West Ham in 2023 from Southampton – after climbing through the ranks and skippering the side for much of the Saints’ 11-year stint in the Premier League.
He etched his way into Premier League folklore after scoring 17 direct free-kick goals throughout his career. A tally bettered only by David Beckham’s 18.
Ward-Prowse looks set to leave West Ham
Jean Clair-Todibo suffered the same fate as Ward-Prowse on Monday, and Santo held no punches when asked about his thought process when selecting his squad.
“It’s simple. We arrived three days ago, we have to make a list, a squad list. We try to look at what the game can give us and the options that we have,” Santo said in his post-game interview.
“It’s about that. Everybody in the squad is necessary and helpful. I think the players understand because I’m direct and honest, I explain to them.”
“Next game, another list, another decision to make, but always with a view and thought to help the team.”
Ward-Prowse has already been linked with a return to former club Southampton as well fellow Premier League sides Everton and Wolves.
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