West Ham United stance on Flynn Downes shared amid £15m Southampton update
Southampton are still leading the chase for West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes but are hoping to pay less than £15million for his services, according to GiveMeSport.
The report (19 June) states that the Hammers are open to sanctioning a full transfer for Downes, who won promotion with the Saints last season during a loan spell, as they look to raise funds to sanction transfers for new boss Julen Lopetegui.
However, West Ham remain in a “strong negotiation position” as Downes remains under contract at the London Stadium until 2027.
Why the sale of Flynn Downes could be the right decision for West Ham this summer
Most West Ham fans knew that going into this season, especially with a new manager in charge, that there would be plenty of changes afoot within the Hammers’ squad.
Changes have already started to take place with the arrival of Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme [The Athletic, 13 June].
The Hammers are clearly keen to get the bulk of their business done quickly and understandably so as Lopetegui will want the majority of his squad in place ready for the start of pre-season next month.
Selling Downes would made complete sense, too. He was deemed surplus to requirements last season and is unlikely to break into the fold this time around with solid options in that position already and another central midfielder likely on the shopping list.
At Southampton, he would be joining a club he is already familiar with and where he is already an important component of the starting XI. It seems at this point that the only sticking point is going to be the fee involved for his sale.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid man Samu Omorodion.
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