Ward-Prowse Set For January Exit As Nuno Excludes Midfielder From West Ham Plans

West Ham face a severe fight against relegation while Nuno Espirito Santo reshapes the squad and hints at departures, including James Ward-Prowse, as the club also prepares for an FA Cup third-round tie

against QPR that offers brief relief from a difficult Premier League campaign.

West Ham lost 2-1 to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, leaving West Ham seven points away from safety after 21 Premier League matches. The Opta supercomputer now gives West Ham an 89.3% probability of dropping into the Championship based on simulations for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

In response to these pressures, West Ham have already moved in the January market, handing debuts to Valentin Castellanos and Pablo in the defeat against Forest. Nuno believes incoming players must strengthen the squad immediately, with more signings expected as West Ham attempt to correct an unbalanced group for the final 17 league games.

"What we have to make sure is the players that join us come with a purpose and come to help. Like, I think we saw with Taty [Valentin Castellanos] and Pablo [Felipe], talented more than anything and fighting and trying to help the team," he said. "We are working hard as a club to try and bring players in. We need to rebalance our squad. It is clear. We need to bring players that make us stronger for the fight – that is the main objective as a club. We are here to fight. Let’s try to focus on ourselves and what we have to do to compete in the 17 games in the league. I believe it is possible. "

Amid these changes, James Ward-Prowse appears set to depart West Ham in January after Nuno confirmed the midfielder no longer features in upcoming plans. Ward-Prowse joined West Ham from Southampton in 2023 for a reported £30m, but has struggled to secure a regular role or deliver consistent influence in midfield.

"The situation with James is clear from some time ago. I think he is not in the options, and it's for us to find the best solutions for his future," Nuno told reporters. When further questioned whether Ward-Prowse's future would be playing elsewhere, Nuno responded: "I believe so. Meanwhile, he is here, and he is one of us, and we are trying to prepare all of them. "

The 31-year-old spent the opening half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Nottingham Forest, at that stage also coached by Nuno, but the season-long deal ended early. Since Nuno replaced Graham Potter at West Ham in September, Ward-Prowse has not featured once, underlining how far the midfielder has slipped from the manager's selection.

West Ham's situation can be summarised by key current metrics from the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

Team	Games played	Points from safety	Relegation chance (Opta)	League games remaining
West Ham	21	7	89.3%	17

West Ham focus on FA Cup and mental approach

"It is a tough situation that we are in. We are aware, but at the same time, I realise there are 17 games to go. A lot of football to be played," Nuno conceded. "What we have to do is focus on ourselves, on our day-to-day. Look for that win and that win we need. Don't be obsessed about the gap. Try to avoid; if you start looking every time at the table you get more anxious. "

This weekend's FA Cup third-round clash with QPR offers West Ham a different stage, away from Premier League pressure, as Nuno looks to build confidence and cohesion. West Ham have highlighted the switch in focus through club channels, with Nuno discussing the competition and the need to reset after recent league setbacks.

Nuno on turning our attention to the FA Cup #TalkingPoint with @LycamobileUKpic.twitter.com/oyHFNZRm8yWest Ham United (@WestHam) January 9, 2026

West Ham now juggle the immediate target of progression in the FA Cup with the larger challenge of survival, while Nuno reshapes the squad, weighs James Ward-Prowse's likely exit and leans on January signings, all under the pressure of an 89.3% relegation forecast and 17 decisive league fixtures still to play.