West Ham United currently have a player out on loan that could save them millions of pounds this summer transfer window.
West Ham have enjoyed a steady season in the Premier League and are still in the frame for a European finish.
Despite heavy scrutiny, David Moyes has The Hammers in eighth place, four points adrift of seventh-placed Newcastle United.
The former Manchester United manager also led them to the Europa League quarter-final before being knocked out by Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, who haven’t lost a game all season.
It’s become pretty evident that if Moyes’ men are to go again next season and realise their top-six aspirations, they’ll need to recruit well in the fast-approaching window.
With that said, they could save themselves millions by keeping a player who’s excelling out on loan.
West Ham United should keep Flynn Downes
West Ham signed Flynn Downes from Swansea City for £12m in 2022 but he’s not really been given a proper chance to flourish.
Downes made just seven league starts in his debut campaign in East London and was shipped out on loan to Southampton last year.
Under Russell Martin, the ‘outstanding’ midfielder has established himself as one of the standout performers in the Championship and looks every inch of a top-flight player.
Earlier this month, Martin reiterated his stance that Downes is the best player in the second tier.
“As I said to you before, I think he’s the best in the league for a lot of reasons. I think he’s shown that again with the performance today.”
According to FBref, the 25-year-old ranks in the top one per cent for pass completion rate compared to his positional peers across 14 leagues, which is a pretty incredible statistic.
It evinces how assured he is on the ball and The Hammers could certainly do with a player of his profile next season.
Flynn Downes would save millions
Instead of going out and outlaying £30m plus on a midfielder, Moyes should place his trust in Downes and keep him in the squad next term.
His loan at Saints has amplified that he is far too good for the Championship, so he’s more than deserved the opportunity to prove it at the highest level.
If the South Coasters gain promotion, they’ll likely be desperate to sign Downes on a permanent deal, so West Ham must remain firm in their stance.
The Brentwood-born ace would provide Moyes with another profile in the midfield, as he differs from the rest.
Downes is a metronome and dictates the tempo of play fantastically well, so he’d enable The Hammers boss to implement a possession-based style in games he sees fit.
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