After a brilliant loan spell last season that helped propel them back to the Premier League, Southampton has finally clinched the purchase of Flynn Downes from West Ham in a move that could potentially cost up to £18 million. The midfielder will now make the South Coast his permanent home.
The 25-year-old joins Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Adam Lallana as the two more well-known players who have signed with the Saints this summer, making him the team’s sixth new addition overall. This transfer looked tricky at the start of the year, especially as Julen Lopetegui, who was newly named manager of West Ham, wanted to evaluate every player before deciding on their future. When Southampton quickly rejected the Hammers’ demand for Kyle Walker-Peters to be a part of the deal, the negotiations became even more complicated.
Even yet, West Ham is anticipated to fight for Walker-Peters’ signature again because they are still keen in signing him despite eventually landing their man without sacrificing an important player. With Downes’ signing, Southampton has now spent over £50 million this summer—possibly a strong indication of their resolve to continue in the top division. After signing with Southampton in August 2023, Downes played his first game against Queens Park Rangers four games into the season and has essentially been a constant ever since.
After going through the academy, Downes started his career with Ipswich and went on to become a vital member of the first squad. with the age of 20, he also became the team’s youngest captain ever. After 99 appearances, he signed a £1.5 million contract with Swansea, where Russell Martin signed him, ending his 15-year affiliation with Ipswich and forging a relationship with Martin that would be crucial in the future. Less than a year after moving to Wales, he signed a five-year contract to be acquired for approximately £12 million by his childhood club, West Ham.
