West Ham and Flynn Downes may have just dropped big hints on his future after his loan spell at Southampton ended in promotion.
West Ham had a big reason to be interested in the outcome of Southampton’s Championship play-off final on Sunday.
Twelve million of them in fact.
For Saints it was the £120m game but for West Ham it could well be worth £12m as Russell Martin’s side beat Leeds 1-0 to return to the Premier League.
Boyhood West Ham fan Flynn Downes has spent the season on loan at Southampton.
When the Hammers spent £64m to sign Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse last summer, Downes wanted to leave as it was clear he was not going to have much chance of starting.
Whether anything changes now Julen Lopetegui has replaced David Moyes remains to be seen.
Although a big favourite with his fellow West Ham fans, Downes has divided opinion.
Some feel he would bring more to the team in open play than the likes of Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse – the man he replaced at Southampton.
Flynn’s ups and Downes
Others feel the jury is very much out on whether he has what it takes to be a starter in central midfield for the Hammers in the Premier League.
Saints are said to have an option – or at least gentleman’s agreement – to buy Downes for around £12m.
That would represent a slight profit for West Ham on their original £10.5m outlay.
It was claimed ahead of the play-off final that Southampton will only be able to sign Downes permanently if they got promoted.
West Ham need to make eight or nine signings this summer.
And they are now unlikely to raise a bumper £85m from the anticipated sale of Lucas Paqueta.
So the Hammers need every additional penny they can get from sales.
Now Southampton will definitely have the money to complete a deal for Downes.
The 25-year-old was sensational in the final.
So good in fact it reignited the debate over whether West Ham should bring him back into the fold next season.
West Ham and Downes drop big hints on future?
Especially as the club is struggling to meet Premier League’s quota for homegrown players.
Southampton meanwhile are obviously desperate for the Brentwood-born midfield ace to stay.
Now West Ham and Downes may have just dropped big hints on his future.
In an article on the club’s official website after Southampton’s promotion last night, West Ham made a point of clearly stating it was the end of Downes’ time with them.
On four separate occasions West Ham reference the fact the game represented the end of Downes’ Saints spell.
“Downes ends Saints spell with Play-Off final success,” one line states.
“Flynn Downes completed his season-long loan spell at Southampton in style…
“The 25-year-old ended his stay at St Mary’s Stadium with 37 appearances, two goals and three assists to his name, and a Play-Off winner’s medal around his neck.”
All factual references of course but many fans felt it was sending a very deliberate message.
The Hammers also sent a post out on social media congratulating Downes on the achievement.
And many feel his response indicates where his heart and head are about his future.
“Huge congrats to Flynn Downes on his Play-Off final victory with Southampton today,” the club said.
To which Downes responded with three heart emojis and one word: “IRONSSSSSSSS.”
Has he just broken the hearts of Southampton fans?
We shouldn’t have too long to wait to find out with the transfer window for domestic deals opening in just over two weeks on June 14th.