Ipswich Town hijack attempt fails as another West Ham United ace leaves on permanent transfer
Ipswich Town failed with a late hijack attempt of Flynn Downes’ West Ham exit, according to Alex Crook.
The talkSPORT journalist reported via X on 16 July that the promoted side had a late offer rejected by their former midfielder before he completed a permanent move back to Southampton.
He spent last season on loan at St. Mary’s and Russell Martin was intent on bringing him back during the transfer window [The Sun, 3 June].
Downes joins Said Benrahma, Thilo Kehrer and Nathan Trott in making permanent transfer exits this year, as well as Ben Johnson, Angelo Ogbonna and Divin Mubama leaving as their contracts expired.
Flynn Downes leaves West Ham for Southampton return
Aside from the fact that Downes seemingly thrived at Southampton last year his decision may have been affected by the negative treatment he received at Portman Road as a Saints player during the season.
The midfielder told BBC Radio Solent on 5 April that the boos that rained down on him from the stands during the 3-2 defeat were “mental” and admitted he was wound up by the reaction.
It seemingly stemmed from his original exit to Swansea City in 2021 and a situation the 25-year-old claimed supporters have “no idea” about.
He leaves West Ham after never really getting a proper opportunity under David Moyes and with Julen Lopetegui content to let him go in a deal worth up to £18million [The Athletic, 16 July].
Talks had been held with Southampton over a deal to bring Kyle Walker-Peters the opposite direction in a swap deal [Fabrizio Romano, 3 July] but the two players’ futures were ultimately kept separate.
Interest remains in the defender from the London Stadium so it remains to be seen if that agreement can be reached, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka also looking like an increasingly viable option from Manchester United.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have changed their view on their top attacking target after a bid was made.
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