James Ward-Prowse may have to accept a reduction on his reported £50,000-a-week salary if he is to complete a return to Southampton before the transfer deadline.
The midfielder is believed to be interested in returning to St Mary’s, but his current wages have emerged as the potential obstacle to a deal. The Sun reports that Southampton are exploring the possibility of re-signing their former captain, three years after selling him to West Ham United.
West Ham are not expected to demand a substantial transfer fee for the 31-year-old, despite paying £30 million to sign him in 2023. According to West Ham Zone, the Hammers are willing to sanction his departure for a nominal sum as they continue reshaping their squad.
That would make the financial terms between Southampton and Ward-Prowse the most significant issue. The midfielder has one year remaining on his contract at the London Stadium, meaning the Saints may need to find a compromise over his salary before the window closes.
Ward-Prowse Out Of Favour At West Ham
Ward-Prowse has struggled to establish himself under Nuno Espirito Santo and was left out of the squad when West Ham travelled to Southampton in the second round of the Carabao Cup. The Hammers recorded a 4-1 victory at St Mary’s without the midfielder.
His place at West Ham has been uncertain for some time. Ward-Prowse joined Nottingham Forest on loan in August 2024, although that arrangement was terminated in February 2025. He later spent the second half of the 2025/26 season with Burnley, making 13 league appearances.
West Ham’s willingness to consider another departure comes during a considerable overhaul of Nuno’s midfield. Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts have already been sold, while Soungoutou Magassa, Mohamadou Kante and Edson Alvarez could also leave.
Arne Engels and Divine Mukasa have arrived, but Tomas Soucek is injured and Lewis Orford has recently been used in midfield. Ward-Prowse’s departure could therefore leave West Ham needing another addition before the deadline.
Southampton Reunion Under Consideration
A move would take Ward-Prowse back to the club he joined at the age of eight. He progressed through Southampton’s academy, made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in October 2011 and eventually became club captain in 2020.
Ward-Prowse made 410 appearances across all competitions during his first spell, scoring 55 goals. That record included 344 league appearances and 49 goals before his £30 million move to West Ham following Southampton’s relegation in 2023.
He has since recorded 75 appearances and eight goals for West Ham, alongside loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Burnley. The midfielder has also won 11 senior England caps, scoring twice.
Southampton’s interest offers Ward-Prowse a possible route back to familiar surroundings, while West Ham appear ready to facilitate his departure. With the proposed fee unlikely to be prohibitive, reaching an agreement over wages could determine whether the reunion happens.
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