Another Hammer seals his exit
The revolving transfer doors continue to turn at the London Stadium. West Ham have announced that another Irons player has been allowed to leave in the form of Flynn Downes.
The Essex born midfielder has joined Southampton on loan for the season following protracted negotiations. The South coast club have been tracking Downes since they were relegated from the Premier League last season.
It is understood the Saints had wanted a permanent transfer for a fee of ÂŁ15m. However Tim Steidten and Mark Noble wanted to retain the players registration as he is highly thought of within the club. As a result, the Hammers hierarchy decided that a loan was best for all concerned.
Hammer seals his exit: Flynn Downes has joined Southampton on loanÂ
Downes has previously played in the Championship with Swansea City. During that time he established himself as the best passer in the division. Given his experience, it’s highly likely the West Ham fan will flourish at Southampton.
The club issued the following statement:
West Ham United can confirm that Flynn Downes has joined EFL Championship side Southampton on a season-long loan.
Downes, who joined the Hammers from Swansea City in 2022, made 35 appearances in all competitions in his maiden campaign for his boyhood side, including 21 in the Premier League, and was part of the squad which won the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The 24-year-old will now spend the 2023/24 season with the Saints, linking up with manager Russell Martin, having worked under the Scot at the Swans in 2021/22.
Southampton are looking to bounce back and return to the Premier League at the first time of asking after relegation from the English top flight last season. A win and a draw have put Martinâs side on four points from two league matches played so far.
Everyone at West Ham United wishes Flynn every success in his loan spell with Southampton.
This is not a deal to improve a young player by giving him experience in a lower division like the Freddie Potts loan is. Flynn Downes will be 25 in the New Year – he isn’t good enough for West Ham and will never play for the club again.
Why oh why do we have to sell or loan out more players than we get in? We have one of the smallest squads in the prem and are in Europe again this year. Flynn would have been a decent squad player but yet again we farm them out probably to never been seen again!!! Coyi
15m and we turned it down, we will never see the colour of it again. Really strange.
If we were offered ÂŁ15M for Downes we should have snapped their hands off. Yes he has good pass completion stats but none of them are ever forward. The majority being backwards or sideways at best. I just don’t think his Premier League standard. Take a look at the Paqueta pass to Bowen in the Euro Conference final. One touch and then the pass FORWARD for Bowen to run onto to score. Take Antonio’s goal against Chelsea on Saturday. The ball broke loose and without touching the ball or a moments hesitation JWP played a forward ball direct into Antonio’s stride. You will never see Downes make those sort of passes.