Report: West Ham to receive £18m for midfielder transfer
Southampton to pay West Ham United £18 million for Flynn Downes this summer, reports Dharmesh Sheth.
Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth reported on X on Monday (15 July) that Southampton and West Ham United have agreed on an £18 million fee for midfielder Flynn Downes. Downes, who spent last season on loan at St Mary’s, has been granted permission to undergo a medical with Russell Martin’s side, despite joining Julen Lopetegui’s squad in Austria for pre-season training.
While some West Ham supporters may be disappointed to see Downes leave, as he never got a real chance during his time in East London, this appears to be a smart move for the Hammers. Securing nearly £20 million for a player who has not consistently held a first-team place since his move from Swansea City is impressive, particularly given West Ham’s depth in midfield.
At 25, Downes was unlikely to displace players like Edson Alvarez or James Ward-Prowse under Lopetegui. Therefore, a return to the south coast benefits all parties involved.
The incoming cash from Downes’ transfer could enable Lopetegui to bring in one or two additional players before the Premier League season starts. Although West Ham has been relatively active in the transfer market, a few more signings would be beneficial.
A new centre-forward is the top priority, and while no deals seem imminent, the search could intensify once Downes’ exit is finalized and funds are available.
