Nuno makes first big West Ham call: January deal for €35m star is ON

Robin Bairner

• 1 Oct 2025 14:37 BST
• 6 min read

News

Nuno Espirito Santo is just settling into life at West Ham United but has wasted no time in making his fist big transfer call at the London outfit.

Nuno was hastily appointed as West Ham boss following the sacking of Graham Potter last Saturday, and kicked off his career in the Irons’ dugout with a 1-1 draw against Everton.

James Ward-Prowse was notably absent from the squad for that encounter in Liverpool, having previously started every fixture this season. It is a sign of what’s to come for the former Southampton man.

Current ETV

James Ward-Prowse

M, DM (C)

West Ham

James Ward-Prowse

M, DM (C)

West Ham

€7.7M

ETV Range

€6.5M - €8.8M

View full profile

The Hammers are said to be open to offers for the 30-year-old, who was signed from Southampton in the summer of 2023 for €35 million.

“Ward-Prowse became the first victim of the Nuno Espirito Santo era when he was brutally axed from the squad for Monday’s 1-1 draw at Everton,” TalkSport reports.

“It is thought Ward-Prowse, 31 in November, would be open to a return to his old club Southampton.”

A considered decision

This is no knee-jerk reaction from Nuno, who worked with him at Nottingham Forest last season.

Ward-Prowse was handed 10 appearances for the City Ground outfit in a disappointing stint with Forest.

Instead, the former Wolves boss would appear to favour summer signing Soungoutou Magassa, a more defensive styled player who picked up a booking in a busy appearance against Everton.

It’s unclear as yet what type of transfer fee West Ham will seek for Ward-Prowse, who was known for his set-piece qualities while with Southampton – a talent that he has failed to replicate while with the London side.

The Irons will be resigned to taking a big loss on the player, whose Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has dropped to €7.7m with around 18 months left on his contract.

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