Southampton are doing all they can to ensure Flynn Downes returns to the club permanently this summer ahead of their Premier League return.
Signing Flynn Downes on loan was one of manager Russell Martin‘s biggest priorities upon his appointment as manager last summer and this summer it is his permanent signature Southampton are pursuing.
Downes proved an inspired signing on loan, with his calmness and ability in possession crucial to Southampton’s successful promotion bid.
Latest reports suggest Southampton are the ‘frontrunners’ for the 25-year-old’s signature this summer with West Ham United open to a sale.
The Saints want to wrap up a deal for less than £15 million, however, even if they do secure Downes’ signing, they will still need to sign another option in his holding midfield position.
Shea Charles not ready to be Flynn Downes understudy in Premier League
As well as Downes, Southampton also signed Shea Charles in the number six position last summer.
Charles arrived for an initial £10.5 million fee from Manchester City that could rise to £15 million if certain clauses are met.
As well as at the base of midfield, Charles can also play at centre-back, right-back and as a more conventional centre midfielder which is part of the reason Southampton were so keen to sign him.
Aged 20, last season was Charles’ first proper season of senior football and he struggled when stepping in for Downes when he was absent last season.
So much so, in fact, that Martin opted to move Will Smallbone back from his more advanced position to play the role ahead of Charles on multiple occasions.
With Charles the natural understudy to Downes in the role and not trusted by Martin, it makes sense that Southampton will be seeking two holding midfield players this summer and perhaps Charles could actually benefit from a season out on loan.
Downes availability means Southampton need back up
Downes was a cut above in the Championship last season, with Martin labelling him the ‘best in the league’ in his role.
However, the 25-year-old did miss ten Championship games through a combination of injury and illness last season, which is almost a quarter of Southampton’s games.
This may be a one-off, but it is concerning; especially as Southampton won just two of the ten games he was unavailable for.
In the Premier League, Southampton simply cannot afford to risk going so many games without an adequate replacement, so the need for a player of similar qualities is evident and it is an area the Saints should not neglect this summer.