West Ham United’s Flynn Downes appears to be on the verge of a loan move to Southampton, following the recent agreement to bring James Ward-Prowse to the London Stadium, as per insights shared by Jacob Steinberg, relays the WHZ.
The Guardian journalist took to Twitter to shed light on the situation, suggesting that Downes’ move to Southampton on loan is becoming increasingly likely. Previous discussions have also hinted at a connection between Downes’ departure and the Ward-Prowse transfer.
Steinberg’s tweet read: “Expectation is that Flynn Downes will leave West Ham and join Southampton on loan. Previous suggestion was Downes would be linked to the JWP deal.”
This turn of events follows West Ham’s successful negotiation with Southampton to secure the services of James Ward-Prowse for a reported fee of approximately £30 million. As the Ward-Prowse deal gains momentum, it seems that Downes could be the next player to depart from the Hammers, joining the likes of Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Vlašić.
Flynn Downes, who arrived at West Ham in the summer of 2022 from Swansea City in a £12 million move, had a mixed 2022/23 season. Despite making 21 appearances, only a limited number of those were from the starting lineup. His hopes for more consistent game-time following his high-profile transfer were unfortunately not fully realized.
With the imminent arrivals of Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse bolstering West Ham’s midfield options, Downes’ opportunities on the pitch are likely to be further reduced. In this context, a temporary move away from the London Stadium seems to be the most promising route for the 24-year-old’s career advancement.
Following the departure of Declan Rice, there might have been a glimmer of hope for Downes regarding his prospects in West Ham’s first team. However, it became evident during his limited starts last season that he had yet to reach the expected performance level set by manager David Moyes. Now, with West Ham securing the midfield reinforcements they sought, Downes is poised to seek opportunities elsewhere, thereby potentially revitalizing his career.
As West Ham United shapes its squad for the upcoming season, Flynn Downes’ potential loan move to Southampton aligns with the broader reconfiguration of the team’s midfield dynamics.