The James Ward-Prowse wages Southampton might have to pay as they plot West Ham transfer | OneFootball

James Ward-Prowse is still estimated to be earning decent money at West Ham, as Southampton look to secure a deal

Southampton need midfield reinforcement after Shea Charles completed a move to Fulham earlier in the summer, and an emotional return for James Ward-Prowse is on the cards.

The Saints' midfield has been stretched thin in the opening weeks of the campaign. Casper Jander's injury and Charles' departure have led to the likes of wideman Kuryu Matsuki and inexperienced Romeo Akachukwu deputising alongside Flynn Downes and Cameron Bragg.

It was seen how effective it was for Tonda Eckert to have four top-level pivot options during their impressive unbeaten run throughout 2026, and there'll be a desire to strengthen that position ahead of the transfer window closing in less than a week.

A return for Ward-Prowse has been agreed in principle, according to The Athletic. Now, it's up to the Saints to agree contract terms with the 31-year-old, and one roadblocks is making that part of the deal a little more complicated.

The wages James Ward-Prowse is said to earn at West Ham United

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The Athletic states that a nominal fee has been agreed, with Ward-Prowse entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium and evidently not being favoured by Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

However, the 31-year-old is still said to be earning £50,000 per week at West Ham, per the Sun, which could prove difficult, or more so unnecessary, to match.

Southampton are in a position where they have to think about the possibility of not getting promoted this summer and what that could mean for their finances; if they're a Championship club next season, they will be without Premier League parachute payments.

They've recouped big money for the likes of Charles; if Taylor Harwood-Bellis departs, they'll be bringing in a similar large eight-figure fee, too, but that doesn't mean everything will be as it is now if they don't get promoted.

While they wouldn't be spending big to bring Ward-Prowse back in terms of a transfer fee, a similar £50,000 per week wage could come back to bite them. The midfielder isn't getting any younger, and having someone in their 30s on such a high wage on a non-parachute payment side would provide challenges next summer.

James Ward-Prowse could accept a wage cut to rejoin Southampton

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However, with Ward-Prowse practically exiled from the West Ham squad under Nuno, who hasn't favoured him at two clubs now, a move back to Southampton would surely appeal to the 31-year-old, and he should be open to accepting a wage cut to rejoin his former side.

The 11-capped England international made 410 appearances for the Saints in 12 years as a professional, having come through the academy there from the age of eight.

His emergence into the side came just after the consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League between 2010 and 2012, but he was still a big part of the club's successive top-eight finishes and European runs.

More importantly, he stayed while his teammates, the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne, Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and co, moved on to traditionally 'bigger' clubs.

Ward-Prowse is beloved at St Mary's, and his departure only really coincided with their relegation to the Championship in 2023. Now, he's arguably at that level, so a move back seems logical, even if he has to accept a wage cut.

James Ward-Prowse to Southampton makes sense this summer

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A Ward-Prowse departure from West Ham seems inevitable in the final days of the summer transfer window. He was sent out on loan to Burnley in the second half of last season and hasn't been favoured at all as the Hammers return to the Championship.

The final nail in the coffin arguably came against Southampton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, when Nuno opted not to pick the 31-year-old in the squad at all - a squad that was heavily rotated, too.

With Ward-Prowse not even in the backup team at the London Stadium, he faces rotting in the reserves at his current club if he doesn't leave. So, with such an onus on his departure, it's a move that makes sense, but only if the right wages are agreed.

The 31-year-old will still be out to prove he can make an impact in the engine room after a couple of seasons struggling to get game time, and if he can help Southampton secure promotion back to the Premier League, his legendary status at St Mary's stands to grow even further.