Southampton exploring emotional return for James Ward-Prowse just three years after selling ex-England ace for £30m

SOUTHAMPTON are exploring a move to bring James Ward-Prowse back to the club. The ex-Saints skipper, 31, left St Mary’s following relegation in 2023 to join West Ham in a £30million deal. James Ward-Prowse is free to leave West Ham for the right price Credit: Getty The ex-England man could make an emotional return to St Mary’s Credit: Getty Ward-Prowse made 410 appearances for the club having come through the academy at the age of eight, spending 20 years at the club before his exit. The midfielder has just one year left on his deal at the London Stadium and would be allowed to leave for a nominal fee. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Ward-Prowse is still thought to earn around £50,000-a-week in the Championship, which could prove a stumbling block for his former club. However, the former England man is thought to be open to returning to the south coast club. Ward-Prowse was not part of the West Ham squad for their 4-1 Carabao Cup win at Southampton on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Southampton have have agreed a deal to sign German defender Keven Schlotterbeck. Saints will pay around £4million to Bundesliga side Augsburg amid interest in Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Harwood-Bellis has been left out of Southampton’s last two matchday squads after the club rejected bids from Benfica and, more recently, Aston Villa. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Villa saw an £18m bid rejected but remain in talks with the Championship club. The former Manchester City academy defender, who joined Saints from The Etihad for £20m in 2024, is valued at at least £25m by the Championship club. Comment now