Southampton are determined to sign their main target this summer regardless of whether they are promoted.
Before they can worry too much about the transfer window, Southampton have the task of overcoming Leeds United in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.
The winner of the Wembley event will secure an instant return to the Premier League – and all the riches that come with it – whilst the losers will have to settle for a second season in the Championship.
The side that misses out on Sunday will expect to struggle to keep hold of their key players, with the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray at Leeds and Kyle Walker-Peters and Taylor Harwood-Bellis at Southampton examples.
Southampton are set to lose Flynn Downes at the end of the season as he returns to parent club West Ham United, but reports are now suggesting the Saints will do all they can to keep him at the club regardless of promotion.
Southampton determined to sign Flynn Downes permanently
After a slow start to life at Southampton, owing greatly to food poisoning, Downes has fast-become a fan favourite at St Mary’s.
The 25-year-old has endeared himself to the fanbase with his aggressive defensive work and unwavering calmness on the ball as he has been key to Southampton reaching the play-off final.
Now, Give Me Sport are reporting that Southampton ‘plan to make an offer’ for the midfielder regardless of what division they are in, with Martin seeing Downes as integral to his side’s chances of success.
According to Give Me Sport, manager Russell Martin has been holding internal discussions with director of football Rasmus Ankersen and the Saints are preparing to test West Ham’s resolve with a summer bid.
The imminent arrival of new manager Julen Lopetegui could complicate matters slightly as the Spaniard may want to cast his eye over Downes in pre-season.
However, given the depth in midfield the Hammers possess, they could be tempted to sell if they can recoup most of the £12 million they paid Swansea City for Downes signature in 2022.
Russell Martin huge admirer of Downes
Martin managed Downes at Swansea and was the man in charge when the club sanctioned his sale to West Ham.
The midfielder typifies what the Southampton boss wants from his side, with his passing ability and composure fundamental to the way Martin’s side plays.
Martin recently called Downes the ‘best in the league’, with the holding midfielder starting 31 of the 33 league games he has been available for.
Downes has missed a handful of games this season through a combination of illness and injury and perhaps nothing has highlighted how important he is to Southampton than when he has been absent from the side.
The Saints have won just two of the ten Championship games Downes has missed since signing, showing he is simply irreplaceable at the base of the midfield.
Martin echoed this sentiment as Downes missed the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City that effectively ended Southampton’s automatic promotion hopes in April, saying: “Listen, when Man City lose one player who plays in that pivot position, the number six (Rodri), the dynamic of that team changes completely, in the same way it does with us and Flynn.”
To compare Downes to Rodri, who is arguably the best in the position in world football, is some praise.
However, it highlights just how highly Martin rates the loanee and it is no surprise that the Saints boss is desperate to extend Downes’ stay on the south coast.