Flynn Downes stance on summer West Ham United exit shared amid Southampton transfer talks
West Ham United midfielder Flynn Downes has already agreed personal terms with Southampton ahead of a potential summer transfer, according to Ben Jacobs.
The Sports broadcaster reported via X on Saturday (29 June) that although the two clubs are still in talks over the 25-year-old’s exit and although a deal has yet to be reached, personal terms have already been ironed out.
Kyle Walker-Peters could still yet head to the London Stadium in the opposite direction in a separate transfer and Southampton are willing to allow him to depart if it helps them secure Downes’ signature permanently.
It had been reported that the former England international had already given his green light to the Hammers over the move [Fabrizio Romano, 28 June].
Will West Ham United sign Kyle Walker-Peters from Southampton in summer transfer window?
This move was always likely to appeal to Downes this summer. Although Julen Lopetegui is believed to be keen to keep the midfielder, he will know that he can play week in and week out in the Premier League under Russell Martin.
His loan spell on the South Coast last season was excellent and although it was in the second tier, it showed that he is more than cut out for the Premier League, with or without West Ham this season.
With Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek and Downes all battling it out for a place in the starting XI, there is no guarantee the Englishman would play consistently. A move back to St Mary’s makes perfect sense.
For the Irons, it represents an opportunity to earn a reasonable transfer fee for a player who was deemed surplus to requirements less than 12 months ago. They may regret this sale in the future, but now, it is the right course of action.
Hopefully, the two teams can reach an agreement sooner rather than later to get this deal over the line.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have made a summer transfer decision on Lille striker Jonathan David
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