Even if Southampton is still fighting to get out of the Championship the first time around, they are still making plans for the summer.
Last night, Southampton was getting ready to play Preston North End in the Championship, but a fire near the stadium forced a postponement.
With three losses in their previous five games, the Saints are now eight points behind Ipswich Town in second place.
Russell Martin’s team has faltered at the most inopportune moment in the race for promotion, after setting a record by going 24 games without a loss in the second division.
Their chances of automatic promotion are dwindling by the day, but they still have three games left to play, against promotion contenders Leicester City, Leeds United, and Ipswich, which might be their salvation.
With the good news that Flynn Downes is no longer needed at West Ham, Martin is fully focused on getting promoted to the Premier League, whether it happens naturally or through the play-offs.
Flynn Downes is surplus to requirements at West Ham
After their time together at Swansea City, Martin and Downes reunited in the summer when Martin signed a loan from the Hammers.
Despite only contributing three goals during his 25 games in the Championship, the 25-year-old has been a terrific energy and dynamic addition to the Saints midfield.
The Athletic previously stated that Southampton will prioritize making a summer bid for the Englishman, and their odds of succeeding in doing so have now grown.
According to Claret and Hugh, a trustworthy source of West Ham News, Downes is surplus to needs at the London Stadium and may leave in the summer.
After just 25 games, Downes was acquired from Swansea for £12 million in July 2022, and he may now sign a long-term contract with St. Mary’s.
Stats for Flynn Downes’ Saints
Martin called Downes “monstrous” early in the season, and the Southampton manager thinks highly of him.
Based on his red and white performances, it is easy to understand why, as he fits in well with the manager’s possession-oriented scheme, averaging an incredible 79.65 passes per game with a 94.1% completion rate.
This places him in the top 3% and 1% of midfielders in this Championship this season, as indicated by FBref.
Perhaps as a tribute to the monster term, Downes’s combative character has been equally crucial as he finished in the top 7% in interceptions per 90 possessions.
