Flynn Downes exit may be blocked by West Ham United as Russell Martin desperate at Southampton
Flynn Downes could be denied a move to Southampton if West Ham need him to fulfil their homegrown quota, according to The Sun.
The paper reported via it’s website on 3 June that Saints boss Russell Martin is “desperate” to complete a permanent move for the midfielder who spend last season on loan at St. Mary’s.
But the Irons are still yet to make a decision over the Englishman’s future, after he helped Southampton secure promotion to the Premier League.
The south coast club are also a potential rival to the Hammers in the race to sign Coventry’s own exit-bound English midfielder Callum O’Hare on a free transfer, which could prove relevant.
Second chance at West Ham as Julen Lopetegui replaces David Moyes?
It is probably little surprise that Downes thrives at Southampton given Martin was far more interested in him, after also managing him at Swansea, than David Moyes seemed to be at the London Stadium.
The 25-year-old arrived from South Wales two summers ago as the heir apparent to the retiring Mark Noble in midfield, but the now-former Irons boss rarely used him and when he did it wasn’t in his preferred position.
As with the likes of Maxwel Cornet it is tempting to wonder why West Ham signed Downes if Moyes wasn’t going to use him, even letting him leave on loan last year at a time when Declan Rice had moved to Arsenal and the club were struggling to make signings.
Whether Julen Lopetegui has more plans for the midfielder than his predecessor will therefore be key, but if the Hammers are hoping to do a deal for O’Hare it might free up Downes to leave.
Having lost out on a major transfer fee for Lucas Paqueta in light of the Brazilian’s FA charge West Ham could probably use a boost to their transfer budget.
But after proving his worth in the second tier with 36 Championship appearances last term, including the play-offs, there is surely an argument that Downes is the sort of player the club could use and letting him go off the back of a strange start to life at the London Stadium under Moyes would be a mistake.
In other West Ham news, a Premier League club now thinks they can swoop in to sign a sought-after defender ahead of the Irons.
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