Summer Transfer Window 2026

[Willo of Whiteley]

Intrigued to know who or where these people are.

It could be true, I’ve seen little to know rumours about him since the supposed “home sickness” reports months ago.

[Give it to Ron]

Linked with Justin Deveney Crystal Palace  but Alan Nixon so maybe just rumour 

Edited yesterday at 07:49 by Give it to Ron

[Lighthouse]

2 hours ago, chiknsmack said:

There's a difference between "signing better players" and "making better signings". JWP's good enough to start at the top of the Championship, but not good enough to start in the Champions League. I think someone who might develop into the latter would be a better signing than JWP, even if not a better player next season.

It's Oli McBurnie all over again; do we want someone good enough for this level but not for the ones above, or do we look for a YHGTI diamond in the rough and risk ending up with a Downs? I'd rather take the risk in this case when we already have Jander/Downes/Bragg in midfield, have a couple of other academy players who could benefit from 900 minutes or so of Championship football, and have a scouting team that found Fernandes and Jander in back-to-back years so have proven they can find good young midfield prospects.

We’ll have to disagree on that. I get that there’s a business need for a reasonable proportion of players with resale value but I’ll worry about the Champions League when we get there.

If we don’t get promoted this season then it’s a real issue financially. That being the case I’d rather sign a 30 year old Rasiak than a 19 year old with a 50:50 chance of turning into Mo Salah or Nicholas Bignall.

[Lord Duckhunter]

On 04/07/2026 at 09:20, Cuddles said:

Well chatGPT is wrong as he was / is the top free kicker taker in the league.

He wouldn’t even be the top free kick taker in the side, let alone the league. 
 

When was the last time he scored one? 

[Patches O Houlihan]

23 hours ago, beatlesaint said:

I really cant decide if JWP would be a good idea or not. I wouldnt want him coming back as an automatic starter ahead of Jander (if still here), Downes and Bragg but he would be an excellent option off the bench. Not sure he would be happy with that but tbh I cant see a Premier League club taking a chance on him after a not great move to West Ham and pretty piss poor loans at Forest and Burnley. 

23 hours ago, 2Morrow said:

JWP is adequate cover for Azaz and Downes & Jander/Charles. Good role model for Bragg breaking in. Can also do a job at RB, though a bit small more robust than Jelert was and it would give Bree a break. He broke through at RW/RM so in a long season could pop up there. 

I wouldn't want him to be the Jander & Charles replacement of both went, but sub CM is cool.

For free or a subsidised loan for 1 season (ideal as could then be a free if it works out) its not exactly high risk.

Leaves moolah for first choice CB if THB goes, a Stewart replacement, a winger or CAM cover to replace edozie and blank. 

Depending on who leaves, the main gaps are ST, CAM cover, LW cover, CB partner for THB, RB cover.

The way Tonda plays I'm not sure 2026 JWP would be a great fit for the Downes/Jander/Bragg role.

BUT - renown professionalism, leadership ability, superb availability, for years he covered more ground than virtually the entire PL, great passer and free kick taker and he has good awareness and vision, if not always the pace to execute.

I could see him playing the Azaz role potentially - dropping deep to collect the ball and then pinging Beckhamesque passes to the front three. He probably still has the engine to be matching the ground that Azaz covers, and when on the few occasions he was played in a more attacking role he did pretty well as far as I remember. 

JWP as Azaz understudy principally; plus CDAJFU at RB and Midfield if we get an injury situation.

Thoughts?

[beatlesaint]

19 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

The way Tonda plays I'm not sure 2026 JWP would be a great fit for the Downes/Jander/Bragg role.

BUT - renown professionalism, leadership ability, superb availability, for years he covered more ground than virtually the entire PL, great passer and free kick taker and he has good awareness and vision, if not always the pace to execute.

I could see him playing the Azaz role potentially - dropping deep to collect the ball and then pinging Beckhamesque passes to the front three. He probably still has the engine to be matching the ground that Azaz covers, and when on the few occasions he was played in a more attacking role he did pretty well as far as I remember. 

JWP as Azaz understudy principally; plus CDAJFU at RB and Midfield if we get an injury situation.

Thoughts?

He'd be more mobile around the pitch than Azaz thats for sure! Yeah he could do that, he was certainly effective under Nathan Jones playing a more forward role. 

But this rumour is only cos Blackmore put his name out there in a fishing expedition isnt it ?

[Saint Neil]

6 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

But this rumour is only cos Blackmore put his name out there in a fishing expedition isnt it ?

A poster a few pages back said his nans dogs friends hairdresser is ITK and that its a done deal.

[StrangelyBrown]

1 hour ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

The way Tonda plays I'm not sure 2026 JWP would be a great fit for the Downes/Jander/Bragg role.

BUT - renown professionalism, leadership ability, superb availability, for years he covered more ground than virtually the entire PL, great passer and free kick taker and he has good awareness and vision, if not always the pace to execute.

I could see him playing the Azaz role potentially - dropping deep to collect the ball and then pinging Beckhamesque passes to the front three. He probably still has the engine to be matching the ground that Azaz covers, and when on the few occasions he was played in a more attacking role he did pretty well as far as I remember. 

JWP as Azaz understudy principally; plus CDAJFU at RB and Midfield if we get an injury situation.

Thoughts?

I can't see him playing the Azaz role - he doesn't have much by the way of creativity. He's a not especially gifted player who has made up for his deficiencies by being incredibly hard working and professional.

If we lose Jander then he would be an ok option. As a Charles replacement again could be an option, but I always thought he played his best football in the downes role which we also have Bragg to cover so he would seem to be a third player for one role when we have other holes to fill.

[bangkoksaint]

JWP strengthens every squad in the Championship. If he is on a free and we have the opportunity to take him back then we’d be bonkers to turn it down. He’s the ultimate professional and if he’s getting a game every week then great, that’s because, barring injury to others, he’s earned it and is performing. I’ll take that

[Patrick Bateman]

44 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

JWP strengthens every squad in the Championship. If he is on a free and we have the opportunity to take him back then we’d be bonkers to turn it down. He’s the ultimate professional and if he’s getting a game every week then great, that’s because, barring injury to others, he’s earned it and is performing. I’ll take that

I agree. He's like Romeu with the professionalism and experience within and around the squad but, and I mean no disrespect to Romeu, he will be much more useful on the pitch, occasionally. 

[Wade Garrett]

2 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

The way Tonda plays I'm not sure 2026 JWP would be a great fit for the Downes/Jander/Bragg role.

BUT - renown professionalism, leadership ability, superb availability, for years he covered more ground than virtually the entire PL, great passer and free kick taker and he has good awareness and vision, if not always the pace to execute.

I could see him playing the Azaz role potentially - dropping deep to collect the ball and then pinging Beckhamesque passes to the front three. He probably still has the engine to be matching the ground that Azaz covers, and when on the few occasions he was played in a more attacking role he did pretty well as far as I remember. 

JWP as Azaz understudy principally; plus CDAJFU at RB and Midfield if we get an injury situation.

Thoughts?

Not for me.

[SuperSAINT]

 

[benjii]

JWP could compete for the Charles/Jander role, as well as the Azaz role, probably do a job on the right, and potentially at right back if needed.

If he would take sensible Champ wages and isn't physically degraded then he'd be a great signing and would offer a lot to the match day squad, even if it's as a utility option.

[Toadhall Saint]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

JWP could compete for the Charles/Jander role, as well as the Azaz role, probably do a job on the right, and potentially at right back if needed.

If he would take sensible Champ wages and isn't physically degraded then he'd be a great signing and would offer a lot to the match day squad, even if it's as a utility option.

You had me agreeing with Charles/Jander but lost me with Azaz.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

 

Sort of signing we should be after although he might need a good pre-season to work off all of the complimentary carbs at 
PNE….

[Badger]

4 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

I can't see him playing the Azaz role - he doesn't have much by the way of creativity. He's a not especially gifted player who has made up for his deficiencies by being incredibly hard working and professional.

If we lose Jander then he would be an ok option. As a Charles replacement again could be an option, but I always thought he played his best football in the downes role which we also have Bragg to cover so he would seem to be a third player for one role when we have other holes to fill.

Agree he doesn’t seem an alternative option to Azaz to me.

Although JWP would strengthen the MF options I don’t see him as a replacement for Jander should he leave. Jander is a far more dynamic player in how he moves the ball around. 

[Badger]

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Sort of signing we should be after although he might need a good pre-season to work off all of the complimentary carbs at 
PNE….

Think he’s heavily linked with Celtic.

Dont know a lot about him, what does he bring ? Would he be the Azaz alternative option ? 

[Gloucester Saint]

59 minutes ago, Badger said:

Think he’s heavily linked with Celtic.

Dont know a lot about him, what does he bring ? Would he be the Azaz alternative option ? 

He would be probably be the alternative 10 Dragan referred to as a priority to take the load off Azaz, as one of many options I’m sure.

Pompey Pravda covering the story now as well as their scorching three incomings https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-fc-news-championship-transfer-latest-southampton-alfie-devine-preston-spurs-west-ham-everton-dwight-mcneil-8778841

[Baird of the land]

8 hours ago, Give it to Ron said:

Linked with Justin Deveney Crystal Palace  but Alan Nixon so maybe just rumour 

Good player, versatile too.

[Chez]

On 04/07/2026 at 08:15, Charlie Wayman said:

We don't need anybody at the moment until Charles decides where his future lies

 

Chez:

Not sure JWP can be described as a journeyman. 

Chat GTP:

Competent, reliable and experienced but not considered exceptional or at the top of their field.

• In Sports: An athlete who is competent but typically moves from team to team (or plays reliably without reaching superstar status) is often referred to as a journeyman.

[Nolan]

9 minutes ago, Chez said:

 

• In Sports: An athlete who is competent but typically moves from team to team (or plays reliably without reaching superstar status) is often referred to as a journeyman.

AI war.....

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

To call JWP a ‘journeyman’ is bizarre in my book. 20 years at Southampton and 3 at West Ham, very likely not his choice to be loaned out there to a couple of clubs, that’s not the definition of a ‘journeyman’ for me.

[SuperSAINT]

2 hours ago, Badger said:

Think he’s heavily linked with Celtic.

Dont know a lot about him, what does he bring ? Would he be the Azaz alternative option ? 

Can play the Azaz role but also slightly deeper. Not defensive, but like the “advanced 8” role.

[Badger]

10 hours ago, Give it to Ron said:

Linked with Justin Deveney Crystal Palace  but Alan Nixon so maybe just rumour 

 

2 hours ago, Baird of the land said:

Good player, versatile too.

Must admit to knowing nothing about him until his name appeared here. Google search offers different suggestions as to where he plays, seems that he hasn’t nailed down his position. Mention of AM, LM, and Whoscored indicate playing at LB even.

Where does he play for Northern Ireland ? 

[Badger]

46 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

Can play the Azaz role but also slightly deeper. Not defensive, but like the “advanced 8” role.

What’s that in ‘old money’?

 

[Badger]

49 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

Can play the Azaz role but also slightly deeper. Not defensive, but like the “advanced 8” role.

On seeing some of the YouTube clips of him he looked quite creative so could see the Azaz role being a fit.
 

On the downside though I expect he’ll want to be a starter wherever he goes, so the ‘job sharing’ with Finn may not appeal.  Perhaps Tonda will find a way to accommodate both. 

[Charlie Wayman]

1 hour ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

To call JWP a ‘journeyman’ is bizarre in my book. 20 years at Southampton and 3 at West Ham, very likely not his choice to be loaned out there to a couple of clubs, that’s not the definition of a ‘journeyman’ for me.

Some people like hot weather some like it cold. Vive la difference!

JWP is the classic journeyman in my book, sort of OK, good but not good enough, invisble when the going got tough. Remind me how many England caps he was awarded? Even Ricky Lambert managed that.

!

[Matthew Le God]

12 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

JWP is the classic journeyman in my book, sort of OK, good but not good enough, invisble when the going got tough. Remind me how many England caps he was awarded? Even Ricky Lambert managed that.

None of that is relevant to meeting a definition of being a journeyman. A journeyman is about moving from club to club throughout a career. Ward-Prowse has two main clubs and two loans in circa 25 years! That isn't a journeyman career. 

Your point about England caps is also wrong, as Rickie Lambert and James Ward-Prowse both have 11 caps for England!

Edited 16 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[Badger]

Some of the responses dismissing JWP are understating his importance to us and efforts over a number of seasons.

From my recollection he always gave his all, often in a crap team. Free kicks were outstanding, although I accept the argument that this sometimes glossed over other shortcomings  in his game. 

I’m not sure he’s the salvation if he returns, but could offer something. But can’t fault him for leaving when he did, still had aspirations of England call ups. I certainly wouldn’t put him in the journeyman category (having been at two clubs in his career). 

[Badger]

On the topic of JWP’s time at West Ham I remember reading how Hammers fans thought he was a ‘steal’ on his early performances. Not sure what went wrong, but clearly Potter and more especially Nuno saw his West Ham career go down the pan. 

[Stu Man Do]

14 minutes ago, Badger said:

On the topic of JWP’s time at West Ham I remember reading how Hammers fans thought he was a ‘steal’ on his early performances. Not sure what went wrong, but clearly Potter and more especially Nuno saw his West Ham career go down the pan. 

I’m sure I read somewhere he once called Nuno baldy in training and he’s apparently quite thin skinned and his binned him off. 

[saint michael]

JWP will fit right in if we are to play sideways and backwards football with the occasional free kick outside the box. Great servant in his time but would be a backwards step for us. 

[bugenhagen]

The most important thing abot this JWP discussion is finding out whether we can classify him as a journeyman or not. Only then can we move on and find out if he is a good signing or not.

[woodsaint1]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

 

Must admit to knowing nothing about him until his name appeared here. Google search offers different suggestions as to where he plays, seems that he hasn’t nailed down his position. Mention of AM, LM, and Whoscored indicate playing at LB even.

Where does he play for Northern Ireland ? 

CM or LM

[BarberSaint]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

None of that is relevant to meeting a definition of being a journeyman. A journeyman is about moving from club to club throughout a career. Ward-Prowse has two main clubs and two loans in circa 25 years! That isn't a journeyman career. 

Your point about England caps is also wrong, as Rickie Lambert and James Ward-Prowse both have 11 caps for England!

Which simply means you missed the point of the post.

 

Journeyman? Yes. He will be once he moves and he's never been a standout - always (to avoid arguments) 'middling'.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Stu Man Do said:

I’m sure I read somewhere he once called Nuno baldy in training and he’s apparently quite thin skinned and his binned him off. 

https://forum.westhamonline.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=7227
 

https://www.hammers.news/news/west-ham-mystery-of-nuno-and-james-ward-prowse-bust-up-from-nottingham-forest-spell-is-finally-solved/

https://www.threads.com/@hammershubwhufc/post/DTpzprZjHk6/the-fallout-between-james-ward-prowse-and-nuno-espirito-santo-is-said-to-date?hl=en-gb

[Cuddles]

33 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

https://forum.westhamonline.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=7227
 

https://www.hammers.news/news/west-ham-mystery-of-nuno-and-james-ward-prowse-bust-up-from-nottingham-forest-spell-is-finally-solved/

https://www.threads.com/@hammershubwhufc/post/DTpzprZjHk6/the-fallout-between-james-ward-prowse-and-nuno-espirito-santo-is-said-to-date?hl=en-gb

A very bold move.

[Gloucester Saint]

9 hours ago, Cuddles said:

A very bold move.

Led to a case of ‘hair today, gone tomorrow’.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

On 03/07/2026 at 17:26, hypochondriac said:

Presumably if the intention was to keep him and loan him out they wouldn't have been expecting a better season than the one he just had. If they still don't think he is good enough then why would they have bothered keeping him and loaning him out ?

Sometimes you overthink things. Another year out on loan would have given the club longer to assess him. When he refused they had to make a decision there and then and it was sell with a buyback/big percentage option. They had a good look in January and decided against buying him back. Was that a correct decision? Time will tell but there's not much point in raking over this ad nauseum.

[Danbert]

13 hours ago, Badger said:

On the topic of JWP’s time at West Ham I remember reading how Hammers fans thought he was a ‘steal’ on his early performances. Not sure what went wrong, but clearly Potter and more especially Nuno saw his West Ham career go down the pan. 

He got an impressive number of assists in his first season at West Ham 

[Sparkkyy]

If anyone wants to understand what a journeyman's career looks like, just look up Jefferson Louis.

Edited 1 hour ago by Sparkkyy

[Badger]

33 minutes ago, Danbert said:

He got an impressive number of assists in his first season at West Ham 

Think he started really well there, and most of the assists possibly came in the first few months. But it seemed to drop off a cliff, for whatever reason. 

[SuperSAINT]

5 minutes ago, Badger said:

Think he started really well there, and most of the assists possibly came in the first few months. But it seemed to drop off a cliff, for whatever reason. 

Was it when Potter was sacked?

I can’t remember 

[Saint86]

16 hours ago, Chez said:

 

• In Sports: An athlete who is competent but typically moves from team to team (or plays reliably without reaching superstar status) is often referred to as a journeyman.

Anyone calling JWP a journeyman has clearly lost perspective on him.

[Saint86]

19 minutes ago, Badger said:

Think he started really well there, and most of the assists possibly came in the first few months. But it seemed to drop off a cliff, for whatever reason. 

Wasn't it something like 7goals and assists in his opening 7 games.

He also beat Beckham's set peice record imo, he scored direct from a corner... But not credited 🫤😄

[Saint Fan CaM]

Is JWP a ‘journeyman’ footballer - a resounding no. Despite his Pompey connections, he was the definition of a loyal professional for Saints - I met him while he did some of the community/charity work he involved himself with.

Is JWP a player we need right now - quite possibly, depending on whether Charles moves on (likely). The only issue is whether he’s kept himself fit enough to deal with the Championship, but I suspect he has.

 

[Hamwic]

16 hours ago, Badger said:

What’s that in ‘old money’?

 

Inside right.

[ally_uk]

If the deal is right for JWP either a free or a loan then yes allday long.

Will give us experience would also be good to have around as a mentor for younger lads. 

Obviously if we have space and are expecting departures.... 

[Saint Garrett]

I love the fact that some people on here are acting like JWP's 38 and past it...

He'd strengthen every championship squad...his game has never relied on pace (probably the 1 thing thats meant he never went to the next level!) but he's pretty much always fit, great pro, great set pieces.  Wages would be the only issue, but if he's willing to drop them down slightly, then he'd be great business, especially if we lose Charles & Jander.