Southampton summer transfer plan could be flawed by Man City gem who’s ‘way off the pace’

Southampton still don’t know which division they’ll play in next season.

The Saints presently rank fourth in the Championship rankings. They are nine points behind the automatic promotion positions, but they have games in hand over those ahead of them.

As a result, they still have a chance of becoming a Premier League club next season. However, there is a potential they will still be competing in the Championship at that point.

They may struggle to devise a clear strategy for the summer transfer window until they know which division they will be in.

However, it appears like Flynn Downes’ future at Southampton has already been decided.

Southampton want permanent Flynn Downes deal

Back in the summer transfer window, Southampton signed Downes on a season-long loan from West Ham.
This allowed him to reunite with Saints manager Russell Martin, with whom he had previously played at Swansea City.

The midfielder has since established himself at St Mary’s. He has made 26 appearances in all competitions for the club.

As a result, sources suggest that Southampton will attempt to sign Downes permanently during the summer transfer window.

That is regardless of the division they play in, and despite the fact that the loan arrangement does not include a buy option.

However, some argue that the form of another West Ham player could jeopardize Martin’s chances of a long reunion with Downes.

Kalvin Phillips struggling at West Ham

In the January transfer window, West Ham signed their own center midfield loanee.

That was followed by the temporary signing of Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City.

However, since his departure, the England international has struggled at the London Stadium.

Phillips has already made some expensive mistakes for West Ham, and he has received a red card in one of the club’s only six league games.

Former England player Darren Bent has claimed that the midfielder has appeared ‘far off the pace’ for the Hammers.

All of this is unlikely to bode well for Southampton and their aspirations for Downes. With Phillips struggling so much, it’s hard to believe West Ham will attempt to make his loan move permanent this summer.

As a result, Phillips is almost certain to return to Manchester City at the end of the season.

As a result, the Hammers will be one man short in central midfield.

As a result, when Downes returns to the Premier League team following his loan term with Southampton, they may be inclined to keep him.

That way, they will be able to replace the vacuum left by Phillips’ departure from the center of the park without having to go out and spend in another signing.

As a result, Southampton may face a difficult battle in convincing the Hammers to let them reconnect with Downes once the window opens.

Indeed, Downes’ contract with West Ham has three years remaining. That, of course, implies the Hammers are under no pressure to sell during the upcoming window.

That might make him a strong successor for Phillips at West Ham, especially after a great individual season at St Mary’s.

With that said, it appears that Phillips’ form at West Ham has done little to help Southampton’s summer plans.