Southampton manager Russell Martin has made a desperate plea to secure the permanent transfer of midfielder Flynn Downes from West Ham United this summer. Martin’s cry for help is a clear indication of his frustration over the Saints’ inability to conclude a deal for his number one target.
Downes, 25, was instrumental in Southampton’s successful campaign to return to the Premier League last season while on loan at St Mary’s. However, it’s important to remember that Essex born Downes is a West Ham fan, but to hear Martin speak, is like listening to a man who feels almost entitled to acquire the midfielder.
“Hopefully, he’ll be wearing a Southampton shirt by the end of summer,” Martin stated when asked about the possibility of signing Downes. “If not, I’ll be devastated. It’s a matter of patience now. I wish he was already here; I wanted him four weeks ago.”
“I hope we can demonstrate enough commitment and offer West Ham sufficient compensation to make it happen,” he added.
It’s a bizarre rant from Martin, the sort of language one doesn’t usually attribute to a manager, particularly when discussing another club’s player.
Last season, Downes was a pivotal figure for Southampton, making 33 appearances, including playing the full match in their play-off final victory over Leeds United.
I’m sure that, if Steidten refers to his stats, they will clearly prove that Downes is a far more effective team player and ideal cover for Alvarez
KWP’s performances are often disappointing in comparison – he plays for his own glory!
Coufal is far superior at RB.
Perhaps KWP isn’t fussed about joining and wants to stay at Saints, he’s always said he loves it there.
Part time Brady and incompetent Sullivan will end up giving him away
He wants him so much that Southampton are (apparently) telling West Ham if they want Kyle Walker-Peters then they’ll have to give Downes plus £10million for a player who is out of contract in less than year. Seems reasonable…
I mean he’s either saying Walker-Peters is worth at least £30million or Downes is worth bugger all. Regardless, he’s delusional.
Downes is good but hasn’t proved himself in the PL. He is a West Ham reject. Walker Peters has proved himself in the PL and represented England. West Ham seem to be driving a very hard bargain in relation to a player that has been developed by Russell Martin at Swansea and Southampton.
Disagree. Didn’t get a chance with Moyes. Moyes did us good, but clearly the system only suited a handful of players. We will see a better JWP, better Cornet, and see the real Downes this year one way or another. Who knows if Cullen and Coventry had a fair go of it before. But look, as a club we did fine under Moyes, but giving a range of players a chance has never been his way.
Ward prowse is a very good player but some players produce their best for certain clubs who they love and are at their happiest at, for ward prowse that was Southampton, he has produced some good performances for us but hasn’t delivered the same levels for us as he did for saints. And i wouldnt mind betting that if the opportunity arise for him to return to the saints he would jump at the chance.
He led the team in assists last year! How did he not deliver? The guy was great pro in a very defensive system and often played totally out of place. He’s not going anywhere and I think he’ll do really well this season.
Based on what? Why wouldn’t fans have wanted a proven PL player, HG status, free kick / corner specialist, often at the top of chances created and distance covered….why would you not want him.
Your understanding of the word ‘rant’ needs some work
Of course you never behaved like that when you wanted Ward Prowse😀
I’m not sure many West Ham fans actually wanted JWP it was only the manager
Totally agree with previous comments. Why give our players away for nothing if we even sell in the first place. Southampton have made no secret that they want Flynn but don’t want to pay the proper value plus Flynn is under contract for 3 years. I say keep him and give him game experience he is West Ham through and through and could be our next Noble.
Their manager or board need a bit of a reality check. Why would we sell him to them and give the 10 mil for KWP? It makes no sense I would have said it was the other way round. Or give Ings instead of Downes as the part exchange that would be good business
Downes is a good age. He has some premier league experience. He has three years contract remaining with an extra year optional extension. He has just had a successful year in the championship.
He’s a West Ham player who does not need to be sold if that’s the preference. There are strong reasons why he might be kept.
If he is sold then there are factors why his value is higher rather than lower.
The price we’re asking is pathetic.
Why do we always virtually give our players away when other clubs ask far more? Surely he’s worth more to SFC than Grady was worth to WBA. Really thought Grady would do far better than he has.
Downes was outstanding last season and will be again for them, so they should be paying the correct price, not pennies and swapping for one of their rejects. (I like Walker-Peters, decent player and a nice guy, but we’re in a queue of one for him).
SFC should be offering at least 20 million with substantial add-ons and a sell-on clause, otherwise he stays here and fights for his place.
Coming here fecked-up his career sitting twiddling his thumbs under Moyes when he could’ve joined Palace and played.
Unless we’re hear from JLo he’s not good enough for us, then Martin can do one
He would be great back up for Alvarez
KWP plus 10m for Downes 🙃🛠
Good news for us if we want their RB. Sounds like their manager is pleading with the Southampton board.
Price just went up
I’m going straight out to get the poor guy a box of Kleenex to wipe his tears he will be a much better fit in lopetegui possession football and if that’s not tapping up I don’t know what is , his reply should have been I can’t answer that he’s west hams player if we wanted him to go to Southampton it would have been a loan with obligation which it definitely wasn’t