Southampton want to sign West Ham United loanee Flynn Downes permanently
Southampton want to turn Flynn Downes’ loan deal from West Ham into a permanent transfer after their successful season, according to The Athletic.
Writing on their website (15 May), the news outlet report that the Saints are keen to bring him back to St Mary’s for the 2024/25 season and the player is open to the move after admitting he would “love” to go back.
Julen Lopetegui is said to be keen to give the West Ham fan a chance to make it at the London Stadium [Evening Standard, 8 May], and talks will likely be held in the summer about his future.
West Ham United have a decision to make on Flynn Downes
Downes joined the club when the David Moyes was in dire need of midfield reinforcements, and the Hammers rushed into a deal to bring him in when he was close to joining Swansea.
But he struggled to make the step up to the Premier League and ended up struggling for regular football, so when the club then brought in several midfielders last summer he was allowed to move on.
At Southampton he has become a key figure in their system under Russell Martin where ball possession is the jewel in the crown, and he has taken that responsibility in his stride.
It’s no surprise that he would love to go back after being made to feel so important, but if he guaranteed a bigger role at the London Stadium next season in the Premier League then surely that would trump it?
That’s all to be discussed between himself and the new manager, but it’s possible that the club could cash in to reinvest the cash elsewhere with a busy summer expected.
In other West Ham news, six defenders could leave the club this summer in a major rebuild.
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