Sport nationWest Ham United midfielder James Ward-Prowse may be facing an unexpected exit from the club, according to reports from The Athletic. Manager Julen Lopetegui’s decision to leave Ward-Prowse out of the starting lineup for the first two games of the season suggests that he may be willing to consider offers for the 29-year-old.
Ward-Prowse joined West Ham last year from Southampton and was a key player under former manager David Moyes, making 51 appearances and contributing seven goals and 11 assists. However, his form declined towards the end of the season, and Lopetegui has since opted for new signing Guido Rodriguez and Tomas Soucek in central midfield.
The Athletic’s Elias Burke notes that Ward-Prowse may consider himself unlucky to be transfer-listed, given his significant contributions to the team last season. However, Lopetegui’s team selection suggests that he may not be part of the manager’s plans moving forward.
With the transfer window closing on Friday, it is possible that West Ham may look to cash in on Ward-Prowse. However, finding a buyer may be challenging due to his high market value and presumably high wages.
This development comes as a surprise to many West Ham fans, who had expected Ward-Prowse to be a key player this season. His potential departure raises questions about the club’s midfield options and who may replace him if he leaves.
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Amina Umar