The James Ward-Prowse rumor mill continues to churn, but for Southampton fans, it's important to be realistic.
The January transfer window is officially three months away now. It is highly likely that the Saints will be active in that window, as the growing consensus is that the squad needs some finishing touches if Will Still wants to achieve guaranteed promotion, such were Southampton's original objectives.
At the start of this season, the Saints have fallen by the wayside quite considerably. They have had a slow start to the season, and they need to enter a good run of form to climb up the table.
Could they turn to club legend James Ward-Prowse to do that?
James Ward-Prowse linked with Southampton return
James Ward-Prowse has no future at West Ham United. This was pretty obvious anyway, but it recently got confirmed to him by new manager Nuno Espírito Santo dropping him from the squad.
It was quite a ruthless call for Nuno to make, but if there was ever a ruthless call to make, you'd bank on it being Nuno to make it. If he doesn't see JWP as fit for purpose, then sorry James, but you won't play another West Ham game.
Naturally, Southampton has been touted as the club to come and save the day. After all, Southampton is the club who made JWP, so they might just be his final hope.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Southampton are plotting a move to re-sign James Ward-Prowse.
But what that actually means remains to be seen. Right now, there is very little context. We are sure that clubs plot a move to sign a player all the time, but it doesn't work out every time.
Some context which has been given, though, is that Ward-Prowse has been informed that he is not in West Ham's plans under Nuno. He also is unlikely to be involved in first-team training.
One condition must be met by West Ham
Hear us out, but James Ward-Prowse isn't entitled to a fast-track back to Southampton. Before this move is made, there needs to be some serious thinking by the board.
One condition which simply has to be met, and this is from a fan thinking out loud, is that JWP's salary should be covered if it's a loan move.
Southampton cannot afford to cover his entire wage bill, and even if they could, we all know it would come at the cost of another signing.
Southampton has some serious business to attend to this summer. This is not an EA FC career mode.
If anything, the midfield is one position that you'd consider low on the priority list for Will Still to fix.
If Southampton can bring JWP on loan, with his salary covered by West Ham, then that'd be great. But considering West Ham doesn't consider him as a future player, that might be hard to bargain. Our prediction is that West Ham woud prefer a permanent sale.
Let's face it, the only tangible way that Southampton could bring in JWP again would be a loan move. Let's wait and see if that's even an option.