11-cap England international could make emotional return to boyhood club after West Ham nightmare

Southampton are looking into re-signing James Ward-Prowse from West Ham, talkSPORT understands.

The midfielder spent 20 years at St Mary’s, having graduated from the club’s academy, before leaving the club in 2023 to sign for the Hammers.

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Ward-Prowse joined the Saints at the age of eight, and went on to play 410 senior games for them during his long spell.

Overall, the 31-year-old scored 55 goals and provided 52 assists between 2011 and 2023.

And he could now be offered a route back to his boyhood club, which would bring an end to a tough period at West Ham.

In total, the midfielder has made 75 appearances for West Ham, but he may well be set for an emotional return home.

Homecoming for Ward-Prowse?

Despite a promising first season in east London, Ward-Prowse has gradually slipped down the pecking order at the Hammers.

He spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest, but featured just ten times under Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground.

And things went from bad to worse when the Portuguese was appointed Hammers boss in September 2025.

Ward-Prowse was almost immediately frozen out by Nuno, and was forced to train alone before joining Burnley on loan.

With both West Ham and Burnley suffering relegation to the Championship last term, the 11-cap England international has since returned to the London Stadium.

He has featured twice as a substitute this term – in the Irons’ opening day 2-2 draw with the Clarets, and in their Carabao Cup first round win over Portsmouth.

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However, Ward-Prowse was denied a homecoming against Southampton on Tuesday, as he was left out of West Ham’s squad for their Carabao Cup second round victory at St Mary’s.

The Hammers’ ran out 4-1 winners, with head coach Nuno confirming the midfielder was fit but not selected.

He told the Southern Daily Echo: “We have to make the list, we have to make the list.

“Many of our players stayed at Rush Green [the club’s training ground], and it’s normal.”

And with Ward-Prowse out of contract next summer, it remains to be seen whether he will remain at West Ham beyond transfer deadline day.

Southampton would certainly welcome additions in midfielder, after losing key man Shea Charles to Fulham in a £30million deal.

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But West Ham could prove difficult negotiators, who have experienced something of an exodus this summer.

Mateus Fernandes joined rivals Tottenham in a £85m deal, before Crysencio Summerville signed for Saudi outfit Al Hilal for £68m.

The east Londoners were then dealt a fresh blow when academy graduate Freddie Potts completed a £10m move to Belgian side Club Brugge, while left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf continues to be linked with a move to Brentford.