Southampton are on the verge of bringing James Ward-Prowse back to St Mary's, according to a report by BBC Sport, with the 31-year-old set to re-join the Championship club from West Ham United.

A homecoming two years in the making

Ward-Prowse initially joined Southampton aged eight and spent two full decades at the club before departing in the summer of 2023. In that time he made 410 appearances, scored 55 goals and captained the side, establishing himself as one of the finest dead-ball specialists in English football. His delivery from set pieces, in particular, made him a genuine match-winner at this level and beyond.

The reported move, if it completes, would represent a significant statement of intent from Southampton as they look to assert themselves in the second tier this season. A player of Ward-Prowse's experience and technical quality is precisely the sort of addition that can make the difference in a Championship campaign, where physical and mental resilience over 46 games matters as much as individual talent.

What has he been doing since he left?

Since his move to east London, Ward-Prowse has made 75 appearances for West Ham in all competitions, though his opportunities have been limited. Last season he spent time on loan at Burnley, picking up one assist in 14 league appearances as the Clarets were relegated. This term his involvement at West Ham has been minimal: two substitute appearances totalling just 45 minutes in the league and a brief run-out against Portsmouth in the League Cup.

Tellingly, according to the BBC report, Ward-Prowse was not even included in West Ham's squad for their midweek League Cup tie against Southampton, which strongly signals that the door at his current club is effectively closed. The timing of that omission is hard to read as anything other than preparation for his departure being confirmed.

What does this mean for Southampton?

Southampton have made an energetic start to the transfer window, with a reported move for Bundesliga defender Schlotterbeck also in progress. Adding Ward-Prowse to that mix would give them genuine Championship pedigree in the middle of the park: someone who has operated at the highest domestic level and knows this division intimately.

It is worth being precise about what he offers. Ward-Prowse's value in open play has always been more modest than his set-piece reputation suggests, and at 31 his ability to dominate the physical side of Championship midfield battles will be scrutinised. We do not yet have details of the contract length or the fee involved, so it is too early to judge whether the deal represents value. What we can say is that in a division where winning corners and free-kicks in dangerous areas is a consistent route to goals, his delivery would give Southampton something that most second-tier squads simply do not possess.

Southampton's season is still finding its shape. They claimed their first Championship win of the campaign recently, but also suffered an early reverse that raised concerns. Bringing in a player who understands the demands of a long second-tier season, and who has an obvious emotional connection to the club, is the kind of move that can shift the mood as much as the tactics.

The West Ham angle

From West Ham's perspective, this is a tidy piece of business if it goes through: freeing up wages on a player who has barely featured while allowing him to leave on his own terms rather than festering in the squad. Whether the fee, if any, is disclosed remains to be seen. The report does not specify the financial terms of the deal.

For supporters of both clubs, the story is straightforward: a player who gave everything to one club, could not quite nail down a regular place at another, and now has the chance to come home. Sometimes football is as simple as that.

Frequently asked

Is James Ward-Prowse joining Southampton?
According to a BBC Sport report, Southampton are close to completing a deal to re-sign Ward-Prowse from West Ham United, though the transfer has not yet been officially confirmed.
How many times did Ward-Prowse play for Southampton?
Ward-Prowse made 410 appearances for Southampton, scoring 55 goals, before leaving the club in the summer of 2023 to join West Ham.
Why is Ward-Prowse leaving West Ham?
Ward-Prowse has had very limited playing time at West Ham this season, and was left out of their squad entirely for the midweek League Cup match against Southampton, suggesting his time at the club is coming to an end.