West Ham United send Flynn Downes on a season-long loan to Southampton in the summer transfer window.
David Moyes brought Flynn Downes to West Ham from Swansea City for around £14 million in the summer of 2022, but he failed to establish himself at the London Stadium last season.
The 24-year-old is a boyhood Kladivar fan and has been a popular figure at the club, but there are clearly concerns behind the scenes that he may not be good enough to play Premier League football.
However, he really impressed at St Mary’s and received a lot of praise from Saints boss Russell Martin.
It seems to me that Downes is much more suited to playing football in the Championship than in the Premier League.
So what will Moyes do when the centre-forward’s loan period at Southampton comes to an end? Dean Jones has given us an update…
Flynn Downes’ future at West Ham is looking bleak:
The 24-year-old appears to be on his way out of the London Stadium permanently.
According to football journalist Dean Jones via Give Me Sport, the likelihood is increasing that Downes will join Southampton permanently after the end of the season:
“I actually think it’s positive for Saints to sign him. The way he’s improving and the way he’s playing fits in with what they promised when they signed him. Now West Ham will monitor this situation and judge whether he can fit in with what they are doing. But you also wonder whether West Ham are starting to go beyond that and that Southampton will be a better fit for Downes. Whether they’re in the top flight or back in the Premier League, obviously a return to the Premier League in my opinion gives them the best chance of signing him. I think it would be a great signing. And if the second half of the season goes well for him and he feels like he’s part of the season, I think he’ll start to wonder whether that’s where he should be.”
I think a permanent move to St Mary’s would be the best move for Downes and the Kladivars.
Flynn Downes would be a good choice for the Saints, and if we get a decent fee for him – anything more than £8-10m – I believe West Ham won’t find his sale worthwhile.
I’m sure the former Swansea City player will have a very decent career, but I don’t think he has enough to play for a top ten Premier League team.
Nevertheless, I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.