West Ham handed £8m transfer dilemma by Southampton and Leeds United result

West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui must do some serious thinking this summer after Southampton triumphed in the Championship play-off final against Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints return to the Premier League on their first try under Russell Martin and impressed in the Championship this season with the help of Hammers loanee Flynn Downes. The 25-year-old made 37 appearances in all competitions for the south coast side, playing a vital role in front of defence.

Downes is due to return to West Ham now the season is over with another three years left on his contract at the London Stadium. The midfielder joined West Ham from Swansea City in 2022 for a fee of around £12 million, signing a five-year contract.

The former Ipswich Town man was part of last season's Europa Conference League winning squad, featuring regularly in the competition, but his 21 Premier League appearances were largely cameos from the bench. He then joined Southampton on loan last August.

Having secured promotion to the Premier League, the Daily Echo reports that Southampton will waste no time in pursuing a permanent deal for Downes, as well as fellow loanee Ryan Fraser. That leaves Lopetegui with a dilemma.

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Downes is valued at £8 million by Transfermarkt and, with years left on his contract, the Hammers could demand more for a permanent transfer to now Premier League rivals this summer. However, the London club are still in need of a permanent Declan Rice replacement and selling Downes could be viewed as an error.

The loan of Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City didn't work out for either the player or the club and isn't a deal West Ham will look to make permanent. Downes plays in a similar position and it will be up to Lopetegui to evaluate his squad's need for the player.