Russell Martin’s desperation to sign last season’s Southampton loanee Flynn Downes this summer could actually hinder the chances of agreeing a deal.
It is no secret that Flynn Downes is the number one priority for Southampton this summer, with Russell Martin knowing his signing would significantly increase the chances of Premier League survival.
The West Ham United ace was a revelation on loan at St Mary’s last season and was pivotal at the base of the midfield as Southampton earned promotion via the Championship play-offs.
Perhaps nothing evidences Downes influence more than the fact that Southampton won just two of the ten league games the 25-year-old was absent for last campaign.
Martin spoke on Downes in a Q&A with fans ahead of watching an under-21 XI face local side AFC Totton on Saturday and his stance was clear.
Russell Martin wanted Flynn Downes at Southampton ‘four weeks ago’
Martin watched on as a youthful Southampton XI won 3-2 against Totton, with Dom Ballard one of the scorers having recovered from the Patella injury that saw his loan spell at Reading cut short last season.
Ahead of the game, the Saints boss spoke openly to supporters where he revealed 19-year-old Cam Bragg will be going out on loan for the 2024/25 season.
He also discussed the topic at the forefront of every Southampton fans’ minds, providing an update on the pursuit of Downes.
Speaking to the fans, Martin explained as per the Daily Echo: “It will take more time. We just have to be patient. I wanted him here last week, four weeks ago even.
“When someone is owned by another club, and they are a good player, they are always going to try and keep them.
“I hope, that at some point, we will show enough love and give West Ham enough money.
“Hopefully, before the end of the season, he will be in a Southampton shirt. If he’s not, I will cry myself to sleep.”
Martin’s Downes desperation harming Southampton negotiating position
Downes’ situation is a complex one.
The former Swansea City midfielder is a boyhood West Ham fan who never really got a chance under David Moyes but has got the chance to impress a new manager in Julen Lopetegui this summer.
West Ham remain open to selling Downes amid interest from Southampton but want to use him as a makeweight for the signing of Saints right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.
Walker-Peters has entered the final year of his contract and the club will be keen to avoid losing him for free next summer so could sanction a deal.
However, Martin’s desperation to sign Downes could be compromising Southampton’s position in negotiations with West Ham.
With West Ham knowing Downes is Martin’s number one priority this summer they can afford to stand firm in their valuation of the player knowing that Southampton are likely to pay the upper end of their demands for the player.
Southampton do not want to spend more than £15 million on Downes and are said to value Walker-Peters at £20 million, but it could be that their eagerness to get a deal complete for Downes sees that become more of a swap deal than any profit for the Saints.
Whilst it will be nice for Downes to hear that Martin is so keen for a reunion, the Saints boss may be best served avoiding comment whilst discussions are taking place at boardroom level.