West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes has agreed personal terms with Southampton ahead of summer move.
The Hammers are in talks with Southampton to sign Kyle Walker-Peters in a deal that will see Downes move in the other direction. However, both deals will be separate rather than a direct swap.
According to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Downes has agreed personal terms on this deal.
The 25-year-old midfielder spent the last season on loan at St Mary’s where he played a major role in helping the Saints return to the Premier League via play-offs.
Russell Martin wants him to stay at the club for the long term after his successful loan spell. He has now agreed personal terms over the move, and Southampton will hope that they can secure his signing without any major difficulty.
Downes made 33 appearances last term and Martin rates him highly. According to a report from The Athletic, Southampton are offering a cash fee plus Walker-Peters in exchange for the midfielder’s services.
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui needs to sign a versatile full-back following the departure of Ben Johnson, who heads towards Ipswich Town on a free transfer.
Lopetegui has earmarked Walker-Peters as a potential option as he shapes his squad for the campaign. The 27-year-old can play comfortably on both flanks and he can provide competition for both Vladimir Coufal and Emerson for the right and left back roles.
However, Lopetegui probably doesn’t see him as a squad player but rather as someone who will push for regular starting roles, given his wealth of experience.
Walker-Peters initially joined Southampton on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2020 and has been at the club for four years. Last season, he made 43 appearances in the Championship.
He has one year left on his contract at St Mary’s and there is a high chance that he could soon be moving to West Ham.
