Relegation-threatened Premier League club Burnley will reportedly look to sign 31-year-old English midfielder James Ward-Prowse from West Ham United this month.
According to a report by The Sun, James Ward-Prowse is the subject of interest from Burnley. The Clarets are keen on bolstering their first-team squad by signing a versatile midfielder in the winter transfer window. So, the 31-year-old West Ham United outcast has emerged as a target for the relegation-threatened Premier League club.
Recent reports have revealed that the Englishman has no future at West Ham United, as Nuno Espirito Santo has no plans for him. Additionally, the Portuguese tactician has banished Ward-Prowse from first-team training while speaking about his non-existent future at the London Stadium. So, a move across the Premier League may be on the cards for the former Southampton captain.
How has James Ward-Prowse fared at West Ham United?
James Ward-Prowse has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining West Ham United from Southampton in a deal worth £30 million in August 2023. The 31-year-old arrived at the London Stadium with hype surrounding him after spending two decades with the Saints and being a talismanic figure for their first team. However, he has struggled to stamp his authority during his spell with the East London outfit.
The English midfielder has managed only 506 minutes of game time in six appearances thus far for West Ham in the 2025/26 season, with Nuno Espirito Santo not using him even once since replacing Graham Potter. So, it is clear that Ward-Prowse has no future at the East London club. The situation has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, with Burnley among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the winter transfer window.
Move across the Premier League on the cards?
Burnley’s interest in James Ward-Prowse is understandable. Heading into the winter transfer window, the Clarets have been scouring the market for players who can help them avoid relegation from the Premier League. While Burnley signed Florentino Luis and Lesley Ugochukwu this past summer, Scott Parker wants more quality in the middle of the park.
Ward-Prowse has thus emerged as a viable target for Burnley, as his quality on the dead ball can bring a lot to the table at Turf Moor. With the 31-year-old Englishman banished from first-team training, he has no future at West Ham United. Recent reports have claimed that he is working on his departure from the London Stadium.
However, it is unclear if West Ham will be open to selling Ward-Prowse to another club in the relegation dogfight in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the English midfielder.
