Southampton fans would love to see Flynn Downes extend his stay at the club beyond this season.
The on-loan midfielder was imperious yet again in the 0-0 draw away at West Brom in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.
Southampton will be the happier of the two sides, as they will be confident they can get the job done in front of their own supporters at a packed St Mary’s Stadium on Friday night.
Russell Martin‘s side were defensively sound at The Hawthorns if a little blunt in attack, but Downes covered every blade of grass on a stiflingly hot May afternoon in the midlands.
He could have bagged a goal to cap his fine performance too, as he surged forward in the first-half before seeing his strike from inside the box well saved by Alex Palmer and Adam Armstrong fluffed the rebound.
Southampton fans will be content with the result, but they will be delighted with that Downes said about his future post-match.
Flynn Downes keen to stay at Southampton
Downes faces an uncertain future.
The 25-year-old is on a season-long loan from West Ham United, having only signed for the East London side in summer 2022 from a Swansea City side managed by Martin at the time.
The holding midfield player only started seven Premier League games under David Moyes last season but, with news that Moyes will be departing in the summer, Downes does not know whether new manager Julen Lopetegui will want him at the club.
Downes was asked on how he views his future by the Daily Echo after the West Brom stalemate and responded: “Of course, I would love to stay here next season.
“I love it here. I love the gaffer. I love the staff. I love this place. Obviously, we will have to see what happens.
“I won’t know too much until I go back to West Ham. We will see what happens there.”
Southampton unlikely to sign Downes unless promoted
If Southampton are to sign Downes permanently, it could well hinge on whether they manage to win the play-offs.
Downes is unquestionably one of the best players in the Championship and will be determined to show he can make the grade in the Premier League after not getting his opportunity at the club he supported as a child, West Ham.
Whilst the midfielder clearly loves playing under Martin, he may not be consider dropping down to the Championship on a permanent basis to be the best move at this stage of his career.
There is also the fact that the Saints may just simply not be able to afford the former Ipswich Town man if they fail to achieve promotion.
The Hammers splashed £12 million to sign Downes in 2022 and it is likely they will be looking to recoup almost all of that fee if they do decide to sell this summer.
Downes is so integral to the way Martin wants Southampton to play that the board may be persuaded by the manager to stump up what is required to secure his permanent signing, but it undoubtedly becomes more difficult without promotion.