West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse was “offered” to Everton during the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Claret & Hugh have quoted a source inside the club that claims the 30-year-old could have joined his former manager David Moyes, but the Toffees were not interested:

“Moyes was offered him [Ward-Prowse] in the summer for £15m but said no”

It appears that Ward-Prowse was effectively on the transfer list all summer, but the source said there were no takers:

“Not one single club went in for him in the summer. West Ham would have sold him, but nobody bid.”

Why did Ward-Prowse start the first six games?

This information makes it even more surprising that previous head coach Graham Potter selected the former England international on a regular basis before his sacking.

Ward-Prowse was named in the starting lineup for all six of Potter’s matches prior to his departure last month.

It looks as if Nuno is trying to force him out of West Ham

Ward-Prowse still has more than 18 months left on his contract, but he is clearly not wanted, so that is maybe why new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has left him out of the squad for his first two matches in charge.

The Hammers boss is not a fan of the player anyway. He did sign him for Forest at the start of last season, but he opted to terminate his loan six months early after not being impressed by his performances.

Nuno’s decision not to select him against Everton and Arsenal may have two different motives. Firstly, he has plenty of other midfield options, but secondly, it gives a signal to the player and his agent that they should be looking for another team ahead of the January transfer window.

Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here