Southampton Trying to Outmaneuver West Ham in Triple Deal; Hammers Must Counteract Ruthlessly

Southampton are strategizing a triple deal, but West Ham must act decisively to thwart their plans.

When Southampton achieved promotion back to the Premier League, it presented mixed news for West Ham. The Saints expressed a strong interest in retaining Flynn Downes if they returned to the top flight, potentially providing West Ham with an opportunity to gain £12-15 million in crucial transfer funds.

Initially, Southampton’s promotion appeared detrimental to West Ham’s pursuit of full-back Kyle Walker-Peters. However, Southampton’s earlier interest in Hammers forward Danny Ings suggested that the promotion could facilitate offloading the underperforming striker back to his former club.

The situation took a turn when West Ham, in their search for a versatile full-back, leveraged Southampton’s interest in Downes to initiate negotiations for Walker-Peters.

Negotiations between the Hammers and Saints over a triple deal began about a week ago but have since stalled. Reports indicate that Southampton is demanding more money from West Ham for Walker-Peters, who is in the final year of his contract. According to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, discussions have revealed a disparity in valuation between the two clubs.

Complicating matters further, Southampton reportedly made a £6 million bid for Ings, requiring West Ham to subsidize part of his wages. Southampton’s demands for more money for Walker-Peters seem to be emboldened by interest from his former club, Tottenham Hotspur.

If Southampton is attempting to play hardball with this triple deal, West Ham must respond firmly. Downes appears content back at West Ham, featuring prominently in training and club media. With former manager David Moyes, who limited Downes’ playtime, now gone, some believe Downes could thrive under new manager Julen Lopetegui.

Should Southampton continue their tough stance on Walker-Peters and Ings, West Ham should make it clear that Southampton can forget about signing Downes. Simultaneously, the Hammers should abandon their pursuit of Walker-Peters and instead target Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United. Sheth recently confirmed West Ham’s ongoing interest in Wan-Bissaka, whom Lopetegui tried to sign while managing Wolves.

Adding to the pressure, if Lopetegui does not include Downes in his plans, West Ham could sell the midfielder to Ipswich Town, another club reportedly very interested in him, instead of Southampton. This move would teach Southampton a hard lesson in the transfer market.

If Tim Steidten, West Ham’s sporting director, adopts this ruthless approach, Southampton’s hierarchy may be compelled to reach more reasonable agreements with the Hammers. Should this strategy fail, West Ham has little to lose by pursuing Wan-Bissaka. The Manchester United defender has already bid farewell to Old Trafford and is reportedly available for just £13 million. Wan-Bissaka is considered one of the Premier League’s top defensive full-backs.

Southampton must meet West Ham’s financial expectations for Downes and Ings and offer Walker-Peters at a fair price. Otherwise, West Ham should end negotiations on these deals and proceed with their alternative plans.