Southampton's Move for Former Club Legend HIJACKED by Premier League Strugglers

Burnley Look to Hijack Move for West Ham Wantaway

James Ward-Prowse has been linked with a return to former club Southampton this January, but Burnley are looking to swoop in and steal the deal to bring the England international to Turf Moor instead.

Ward-Prowse, who turned 31 in November, has not played a single game for West Ham since the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo as manager who also didn't much fancy the 11-times capped former England star when he was on loan at Nottingham Forest under his watch.

James Ward-Prowse has still created more chances for West Ham from crosses (10), corners (7) & free-kicks (2) than any other player in the Premier League this season.

He's not played since September... 🫠 pic.twitter.com/uuS6dGXJW3

— Hammers Hub (@HammersHubWHUFC) January 21, 2026

As such, the free-kick specialist is set to make an exit from the London Stadium this January, with Southampton looking to bring back a much-loved player to the South Coast. However, Burnley are looking to hijack the move with the allure of continuing his career in the Premier League.

Burnley Play Hijack for Ward-Prowse Exit

With Scott Parker's side currently sat in 19th in the Premier League, a steady eight points adrift of the currently-safe Nottingham Forest, they only have a dwindling amount of days to add some reinforcement to a squad that needs steeling up for the fight ahead.

James Ward-Prowse is a well-regarded figure in the Premier League, but has not quite played the role of a mainstream star in recent seasons. He suffered a relegation with Southampton back in 2023, despite scoring nine goals and assisting a further four from central midfield, before moving to West Ham the season after. He played a key part in his first term in London, before a failed loan to Nottingham Forest under Nuno Santo, before being recalled under Graham Potter and fighting his way into the first team again.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🔝 4 years ago today, James Ward-Prowse produced this top class free-kick. 😍🎯 pic.twitter.com/nPlt6kYSaY

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 15, 2026

However, since Nuno was installed in place of Potter in London, Ward-Prowse has not been seen in a West Ham shirt again and is now available to permanently depart the side this winter, no less to help offset the spending from The Hammers on the likes of Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos.

Southampton have shown interest on making a hopeful return for their former hero, even though they currently sit 15th in the EFL Championship, but Burnley are looking to steal the deal with the offer of continuing his career as a Premier League footballer.

The job lying in front of Scott Parker is monumental - he needs to show as a manager that he can, in fact, guide a team away from Premier League relegation, and adding an experienced head with over 400 appearances in the English top flight would go a long way in helping his chances.