Kyle Walker-Peters update as West Ham United agree to sell Flynn Downes to Southampton
Kyle Walker-Peters is not involved in the West Ham deal to sell Flynn Downes to Southampton, The Athletic reports.
According to the outlet on 15 July the Irons midfielder is now rejoining the Saints on a permanent deal worth £18million after spending last season there on loan.
Walker-Peters is still under consideration at the London Stadium but he is not involved in the Downes transfer which is for a “straight fee”.
A swap deal involving both players had previously been suggested [Fabrizio Romano, 3 July] but is not set to be the case.
Julen Lopetegui wants new West Ham full-back
Downes’ Hammers career never really got off the ground after his arrival from Swansea as he was one of a few players signed by David Moyes in recent seasons who the Scot rarely wanted to use.
Having joined the club he supported as a nominal replacement for the retiring Mark Noble it was a move that made a lot of sense at the time but it will instead be at Southampton where he gets another shot at Premier League football.
Julen Lopetegui’s arrival as manager could have seen the midfielder get a second chance at West Ham but Russell Martin was intent on bringing him back to St. Mary’s and the fee is a decent one after the Irons paid £12m two years ago [Sky Sports].
It remains to be seen whether a deal for Walker-Peters can be done as he was also a key man for Southampton as they secured promotion last season but has a year left on his contract.
Vladimir Coufal is in the same situation at West Ham and is four years older at 31, while Ben Johnson left on a free transfer to join another promoted side in Ipswich Town after rejecting multiple contract extension offers.
In other West Ham news, the London Stadium has emerged as the obvious transfer destination for a Premier League star who wants to move to the capital.
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