Ward-Prowse set for Saints reunion after Nuno’s ruthless reset at West Ham

Nuno Espirito Santo has wasted no time stamping his authority at West Ham United, and James Ward-Prowse looks like the first big casualty. The 30-year-old was left out altogether for the Hammers’ 1-1 draw at Everton, and multiple reports suggest the club will listen to offers in January—with the midfielder open to a romantic return to Southampton.

Nuno’s first call: no room for Ward-Prowse

Under Graham Potter, Ward-Prowse had been a guaranteed starter this season. But Nuno’s debut brought a clean break: no place in the squad and a new-look engine room of Mateus Fernandes, Lucas Paqueta and Soungoutou Magassa—handed his first start of the campaign. The message, per well-placed whispers, is blunt: Ward-Prowse isn’t central to the new manager’s plans.

Saints on standby for a St Mary’s homecoming

Southampton are monitoring the situation closely and are weighing up a January swoop. For Ward-Prowse, the pull of St Mary’s is obvious—club captaincy in his past, adoration in the stands, and a system that played to his laser-guided delivery. If West Ham are indeed open for business, the path back down the M3 is clear enough.

Contract, cost and the calculus at West Ham

Ward-Prowse signed on from Southampton in August 2023 and is tied to West Ham until summer 2027, reportedly on £144,000 per week. Those numbers mean any deal needs careful structuring, but the direction of travel is plain: a new boss, a new brief, and a player who may feel his best football lies elsewhere.

What Nuno’s reshuffle tells us

Nuno prefers balance and legs through midfield, trusting structure over specialists. Ward-Prowse is elite at set-pieces and tempo, but if the new gaffer wants a more athletic press with Paqueta floated free and Magassa bedding in, it’s a tactical squeeze. It’s harsh on a pro of Ward-Prowse’s consistency, but managers live and die by decisive calls—this was one.

By the numbers: reliability with a dead-ball sting

Since joining West Ham, Ward-Prowse has chalked up 73 appearances, eight goals and 12 assists, his most recent strike arriving on the final day of the 2024/25 season in a 3-1 win at Ipswich. For England, he’s earned 11 caps and scored twice. Notably, he spent the first half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest under Nuno, making 10 appearances with five Premier League starts—useful context for why the manager knows exactly what he’s choosing.

Boardroom whiplash and the Nuno era

West Ham parted ways with Potter at the weekend and swiftly installed Nuno on a three-year deal. The Portuguese coach arrives after a whirlwind spell around the league: dismissed by Forest on September 9 despite guiding them to seventh last term and a first European venture in three decades. Whatever you make of the recent résumé, Nuno has never been shy of a bold reset.

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What happens next

Expect a fortnight of phone calls ahead of January: Southampton sharpening the pencil, West Ham setting terms, and Ward-Prowse seeking a platform that values his craft. For the Hammers, it’s the start of Nuno’s blueprint. For Saints, it could be the return of a favourite son just when they need a cool head and a wicked delivery.

Bottom line? Ward-Prowse back in red and white feels more likely today than it did a week ago. If the door’s ajar at the London Stadium, Southampton won’t hesitate to push it wide open.