West Ham United complete signing of Flynn Downes from Swansea as final fee is revealed
West Ham have completed the signing of Flynn Downes from Swansea in a deal which could reach as much as £14million, Ian Michelmore reports.
The Wales Online journalist wrote on Twitter Thursday afternoon (7 July) that the the transfer was “all done” and will consist of a £9million up-front fee with up to £5million in add-ons.
These numbers have been backed up by The Athletic who say that the top number will be due if “several clauses are met”.
Downes is to be announced later today as the Irons’ third senior signing of the summer window following Nayef Aguerd from Rennes and Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain after a year on loan with the club.
The club came out of nowhere to knock Crystal Palace out of the driving seat to take the 23-year-old midfielder to the London Stadium.
The Athletic confirm that it was the bigger fee on offer from east London rather than south that made the difference.
Delivered
Higher offer it may have been, but for just seven figures in guaranteed outlay this is a big win for the club since it has to be assumed that if the Englishman activates all of the add-ons they will happily pay the extra.
The manner in which the Hammers have shot in from left field to snatch the Championship stand-out suggests they have big plans for him, and perhaps that there is an imminent exit on the cards from Tomas Soucek.
David Moyes is not known for being cavalier in the transfer market, and even though the risk is relatively low considering the affordable fee, he wouldn’t have let the trigger be pulled on this unless he really wanted him.
The deal is now done and the third signing of the summer is on his way as things gradually start to come together.
There is without doubt more work to do ahead of the new season, with striker help needed and the Armando Broja situation becoming complicated.
Whether Moyes finally lands Jesse Lingard is also still unresolved and there are further additions likely in midfield and defence.
But bringing in a lifelong West Ham fan in the centre of the park has to be a boost, just as one legendary one has departed.