Southampton eyeing 8-figure transfer fee as Russell Martin plots Rangers reunion with 26-year-old | OneFootball

Martin wants to bring one of his old players north of the border to Ibrox

New Rangers manager Russell Martin wants to re-unite once more with Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes - but their price-tag may stop a move from happening.

The Saints dispensed of the services of Martin as head coach early on in the 2024-25 season, with his style of football not translating to results in England's top flight.

Martin took time out of the game until the end of the season, where he has now subsequently landed the manager's job at Ibrox - a place he plied his trade at as a player - and he's now looking to bring in a familiar face as one of his first transfer deals.

Flynn Downes wanted by Rangers, but Russell Martin already faces transfer stumbling block

According to a report from journalist Alan Nixon, Martin is keen to bring Flynn Downes north of the border to Rangers - a player he has signed twice before in his career already.

Martin landed Downes' services from Ipswich Town back in 2021 for £1 million when he first arrived at Swansea City, and just one year later, after an incredibly stellar 2021-22 Championship season, the midfielder was sold to West Ham for £12 million.

After just one season with the Hammers though, Downes and Martin re-united at Southampton in 2023, with an initial loan deal turning into a permanent one following Championship promotion through the play-offs in a £15 million deal.

26-year-old Downes continued to start under Martin last season in the top flight until his sacking in December, and he even captained the club on occasion, and overall he played 27 times as the Saints were ultimately relegated as one of the worst statistical teams to ever play in England's top tier.

Downes still has three years on his contract at St Mary's Stadium, but that doesn't stop Martin from wanting to sign the defensive midfielder for a third time - although Nixon claims that the Saints would want at least £10 million for his services, which could end up being a huge stumbling block towards any move.

Rangers completing Flynn Downes deal seems unrealistic given fee Southampton want

Given Southampton paid £15 million for Downes' services, they may have to accept a small loss if they want to cash in on the ex-Ipswich man - although the fee would still probably be out of Rangers' reach.

Martin clearly has a good relationship with Downes to have signed him twice and want him again, but Rangers have only spent £10 million-plus on a player once in their entire history, and that was back in 2000 when signing Norwegian striker Tore Andre Flo from Chelsea for £12 million.

That stat in itself would make a deal very unlikely to happen, no matter how much Martin likes Downes, although with fresh investment arriving from Andrew Cavanagh and 49ers Enterprises, we could see cash being splashed on the blue side of Glasgow this summer.