Southampton: West Ham plans for Flynn Downes become clearer | OneFootball

Southampton's hopes of re-signing Flynn Downes from West Ham in the summer transfer window look to have been dealt a blow.

That's after a report from The Evening Standard claimed that the midfielder will be given a chance to impress by the Hammers in pre-season.

Downes joined the Saints back in the summer transfer window, signing on a season-long loan from West Ham.

That was a move that reunited him with Southampton manager Russell Martin, who he previously played under at Swansea City.

Since moving to St Mary's, the 25-year-old has become a key player for the Saints. In total, he has made 34 appearances in all competitions for the club. During that time, he has scored two goals and provided two assists.

As a result, reports from The Athletic have previously claimed that Southampton will prioritise signing Downes on a permanent deal in the summer.

Indeed, Martin himself has recently admitted the importance of keeping the midfielder at the club.

Now though, it seems there is a possibility that they may not get the chance to do that, once the market opens.

Downes set for West Ham opportunity

There will be a change in manager at West Ham in the summer, with David Moyes to leave his role, and Julen Lopetegui set to take over.

Under the former Wolves manager, it is thought that Downes will be given a chance to impress for West Ham in pre-season.

If Downes proves successful with that, he could establish himself in the Hammers first-team, which would lessen the chances of a return to Southampton.

The midfielder joined West Ham from Swansea for a reported £12million back in the summer of 2022.

Following that move, he had made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Premier League side, prior to his loan to Southampton.

As things stand, there are just over three years remaining on Downes' current contract with West Ham, which also includes the option to extend by a further 12 months.

That effectively secures his future at The London Stadium until the end of the 2027/28 season. The Hammers will, therefore, be in a strong position to respond to any offers made for the 25-year-old this summer.

West Ham currently sit ninth in the Premier League table with two games of the season remaining.

Southampton, meanwhile, play the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final away at West Brom on Sunday afternoon.

Downes update concerning for Southampton

It is hard not to feel as though this news will be worrying for those connected with the Saints.

Downes has been an excellent player for Martin's side this season, and if they do win promotion, he will have played a key part in that success, as the manager has said himself.

As a result, he is a player they will surely want to bring back in the summer, in what would no doubt be a boost to their prospects for next season, whatever the division.

However, given he is a boyhood West Ham fan, he would surely want to try and make things work at the London Stadium if given the opportunity.

So if he does prove successful with the Hammers in pre-season, he may be difficult to prise away from the club.

Indeed, with his contract situation at West Ham, it could also be challenging for Southampton to afford this deal from a financial perspective, if they do not win promotion this season.

With that in mind, it appears Downes' West Ham future may rest considerably on what happens over the course of the summer, something Southampton will surely be taking a keen interest in.