Southampton may see their hopes of signing loan star Flynn Downes permanently dashed by the latest development at West Ham United.
The 25-year-old has been one of Southampton‘s best players this season, with his importance highlighted by his side’s struggles to cope when he has been absent.
Russell Martin had managed Downes previously at Swansea City before the midfielder was sold to West Ham in a £12 million deal.
The pair reunited in the summer, with Martin desperate to reignite their relationship as he took charge of the Saints and he has been a revelation ever since.
Given the level of his performances, it is difficult to envisage Southampton being able to secure a permanent deal if they are unsuccessful in their bid to secure promotion via the play-offs.
However, the latest development at West Ham could make this even more difficult, with manager David Moyes set to be replaced by Julen Lopetegui in the summer.
Julen Lopetegui set to give Flynn Downes West Ham chance
David Moyes had effectively written Downes off as a West Ham player.
According to Transfermarkt, the 25-year-old was only handed seven Premier league starts in his debut season at the Hammers by Moyes, with the Scottish manager’s counter-attacking style not suited to the skillset of Downes.
This season, playing in a possession-focused side at Southampton, Downes has flourished and incoming manager Lopetegui is reportedly willing to give the midfielder a chance to impress in pre-season.
According to The Standard, West Ham midfielders Flynn Downes and Freddie Potts “will return from their respective loan spells at Southampton and Wycombe and will be given chance to impress in preseason”
It was added that: “Downes could become a permanent target for Saints should they win promotion through the Championship playoffs.”
The main reason for this is said to be the fact that West Ham find themselves in a position where they are struggling to hit the homegrown quota that Premier League rules stipulate.
Southampton must persist with Downes signing
Whilst this update on Downes’ future will not be what Southampton fans will want to hear, there is still hope that the former Ipswich Town midfielder could return to the south coast next season.
Whilst Lopetegui will want to cast his eye over Downes, the fact remains that he still has the likes of Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, former Saint James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta to compete with for a spot in the midfield.
Paqueta is likely to depart the East London club in the summer, but it is still going to be difficult for Downes to force his way into the starting XI.
With that in mind, if Southampton are able to offer West Ham a decent fee they are likely to take it under real consideration.
Downes is so crucial to the way Martin wants his Southampton side to play that his permanent signing simply has to be the priority this summer.