Champion League
Martin Target Can Spearhead Promotion Push
Will probably be a summer season of change at St Mary’s Stadium following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
The Saints completed useless final in what was a disastrous season on the south coast, and the squad may see a severe shake-up in consequence.
Sources have reported West Ham’s curiosity in James Ward-Prowse, with the potential for younger midfielder Flynn Downes transferring the opposite method.
Downes, who solely started seven Premier League games final season, could also be used as a sweetener in a deal to carry Southampton’s free-kick specialist to east London.
Southampton switch information – Flynn Downes
That is in line with the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, who shared on his Patreon account that David Moyes had shortlisted Ward-Prowse on his summer season wishlist, however the present worth is just too excessive.
In keeping with the Independent, the Saints are demanding near £30m for his or her captain, however it’s anticipated that the participant will depart St Mary’s to play within the Premier League within the upcoming season.
Ward-Prowse might be certainly one of various signings for West Ham if Declan Rice does depart the membership.
As Southampton look to rebuild, ExWHUemployee acknowledged:
“Southampton had been contemplating making a transfer for Flynn Downes both on mortgage or everlasting as he had spoken to somebody inside the Downes household,”
“I’ve since checked this out and there does appear to be credible proof. That is largely all the way down to their appointment of his former supervisor at Swansea, Russell Martin. They loved a terrific relationship and the previous Norwich participant sees Downes as a terrific addition to assist drive the Saints again to the Premier League.”
He then added:
“What makes this transfer extra important is our curiosity in James Ward Prowse. The set piece king is excessive on Moyes’ want checklist, as he was final summer season, and in the intervening time we really feel their valuation is just too excessive. If Downes might be included within the deal this might assist decrease the price.”
At simply 24-years-old, Downes is a participant went loads of growth left to do, however his play underneath the Saints in Wales actually gave us a style of how excessive his ceiling is.
On the Swansea.com Stadium underneath the 39-year-old tactician, Downes was an influential member of the engine room – not solely did he contribute in direction of three targets throughout 37 league appearances however displayed his defensive prowess, with a mean of 1.3 deal with and 1.1 interceptions per outing, additionally offering a formidable 92.6% passing accuracy.
These are heights that he has but to match on the London Stadium, with minutes onerous to return by, although a reunion along with his former coach might be precisely what’s wanted. Southampton will certianly have holes to fill in midfield, so the 24-year-old machine certainly makes for a viable and fascinating goal.
Martin was in awe of the £12m gem’s performances on the time, stating:
“I am working out of superlatives for Flynn.
“He has all of the components he must play on the very prime. He is aware of how I really feel about him and the way we really feel about him as a training workers and what his ceiling will be. I feel he can go and play wherever he needs finally.
“Now we have a number of good gamers, a few of them are suited extra to the fashion of play than others. He actually is that. He is been unbelievable.”
Southampton awarding their supervisor with a participant that he has labored with earlier than and trusts might be the right mixture to kickstart their promotion push.
If Ward-Prowse does depart the membership to maneuver to West Ham, the Saints must be combating to have Downes included within the deal, given the proof above. Simply think about him again underneath Martin because the south coast outfit plot an immediate return to the massive time in 2023/24.