'Deal done' - West Ham seal 'monstrous' £18m transfer with Premier League rivals

West Ham have completed a deal to sell midfielder Flynn Downes to Premier League rivals Southampton this summer with a fee reported to be around £18 million.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at St. Mary's Stadium and was a key part of Russell Martin's play-off winning side. Downes made 37 appearances in all competitions for the Saints and re-signing the player had become a priority for the south coast club this transfer window - the Southampton boss hailed the player’s influence as ‘monstrous’ last term.

Downes joined West Ham from Swansea City in 2022 and is a product of the Ipswich Town youth academy. The midfielder made 35 first-team appearances for the Hammers and was part of the side which won the Europa Conference League in 2023.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth took to social media platform X on Monday to confirm the news. He wrote: "BREAKING: Southampton have agreed a deal for the permanent signing of West Ham United midfielder Flynn Downes. Downes has been given permission to have a medical. He has been with the West Ham squad on their pre-season training camp in Austria."

Downes will now travel back to the UK to complete a medical with Southampton as the newly promoted side continues to be proactive in the transfer market.

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The midfielder's exit is the latest piece of business set to be confirmed by West Ham as the club prepares for a new era under Julen Lopetegui. The Hammers have already signed Max Kilman from Wolves and Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.

There have been links with a move for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay to bolster the midfield, although that deal may have collapsed with the exit of David Moyes. Downes' exit could add pressure to add more depth in the centre of the park with Kalvin Phillips' underwhelming loan move having expired, but signing a striker is believed to be the next task for the London outfit.