Following their promotion, Southampton should aim to permanently sign Flynn Downes this summer.
Southampton is still basking in the joy of their recent promotion to the Premier League, but soon their focus will shift to assembling a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Russell Martin and his team need only look at how last season’s promoted clubs fared in the Premier League to understand the magnitude of the task ahead. Ensuring the Saints remain competitive will be no small feat.
Promotion brings greater financial resources and makes the club a more attractive destination for players. Southampton will need to capitalize on this by making several key signings in the coming months.
First on Martin’s agenda should be securing Flynn Downes on a permanent deal. After an impressive season-long loan from West Ham, Downes has proven his worth at St Mary’s.
It’s no secret that Russell Martin highly values Downes, having signed him from Ipswich Town during his first week as Swansea City manager and then bringing him to Southampton on loan. Downes quickly became a crucial player for the Saints, and his absence was keenly felt during their poor run of form when he was injured.
In the 2023/24 Championship season, Downes made 33 appearances, playing 2,559 minutes, scoring 2 goals, and providing 2 assists. His pass accuracy was an impressive 93.3%, with a dribble success rate of 61.5%. He had 2,519 touches, won 65% of his tackles, 51.6% of his duels, and made 47 interceptions. His impact was evident as Southampton struggled in the 10 games he missed, winning only two, drawing two, and losing six.
TeamTalk reports that Southampton is eager to bid for Downes, but new West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui wants to evaluate him during pre-season, potentially giving him a chance in the Hammers’ squad. This is less than ideal for the Saints, who must persist in their pursuit, as Downes is integral to their style of play.
Securing Downes could be the key to Southampton’s survival in the Premier League next season. His talent is too great to be wasted on the West Ham bench. Despite making 35 appearances for the Hammers, only seven were league starts, with most of his playtime in cup competitions, including a significant role in their Europa Conference League win.
With Lopetegui assessing his squad, Southampton must hope Downes doesn’t overly impress and becomes available for transfer. Not signing him would be a significant setback for Russell Martin, one he will be keen to avoid.