Southampton should turn to Coventry City if Flynn Downes deal doesn’t happen: View
Southampton want to sign Flynn Downes on a permanent deal, but if it doesn’t happen the club should turn to Ben Sheaf.
Southampton back in Premier League, manager keen on Downes deal but West Ham uncertain about future options.
Ben Sheaf could be alternative if Downes deal falls through, player’s stats show impressive attacking and defensive capabilities.
Sheaf’s consistency and versatility make him an attractive option for Southampton’s midfield, competition for his signature may be high.
Southampton can once again call themselves a Premier League team after overcoming Leeds United in the play-off final last weekend.
There have been some bumps in the road for the Saints throughout the campaign, but they managed to make it count when it mattered, and they are now reaping the rewards.
Southampton now head into the summer transfer market as a top-flight team, meaning they may have more options to explore when it comes to signing and selling players.
One player who was a key part of their promotion success was midfielder Flynn Downes, and he will likely be someone manager Russell Martin would love to have at the club again next season, but there seem to be doubts about whether a deal may happen or not.
West Ham are prepared to wait before making Flynn Downes decision
Southampton signed Flynn Downes last summer on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side West Ham United.
The midfielder joined the Hammers the summer before but struggled to make a regular impact for the club in that single season.
So, it was decided he would spend the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Southampton, where he excelled. The midfielder played 37 times for the club in all competitions, scoring two goals and chipping in with three assists.
Downes started all but two games he was available for, so he was an important player in Martin’s team, and therefore, it is no surprise that reports state the Saints boss is keen to strike a deal over the summer.
The loan deal didn’t include a buy option, meaning if Southampton are to sign the player this summer, they will need to find a new agreement. However, according to the Evening Standard, West Ham are willing to wait before making a decision about his future at the club.
New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is keen to cast his eyes over his squad before making any decisions about their futures. The report also suggests that selling Downes could leave the Hammers short on the number of home-grown players they have.
So, there are complications to getting Downes at the club for next season; therefore, the Saints could turn to Coventry City’s Ben Sheaf as a possible alternative.
Southampton should turn to Ben Sheaf if Downes deal doesn’t happen
It seems that Russell Martin would be keen on bringing Flynn Downes back to the club this summer; it is just unclear if a deal can be done and if that deal would be another loan or a permanent switch.
It is understandable why Martin will want the midfielder to re-join the club, as he fits the profile that he likes to have in his team, and he was very impressive for them throughout the campaign.
However, Southampton will not want to play a waiting game, and therefore, they may need to start looking at possible alternatives should a deal become hard to do.
If the club are to look at alternative players, then Coventry City’s Ben Sheaf should be someone near the top of that list.
He has been with the Sky Blues on a permanent basis since 2021, and in that time, he has helped the club to promotion out of League One as well as compete for a play-off spot in the Championship, which they did in the 2022/23 season.
Sheaf’s importance has grown and grown for Coventry, with him becoming one of their most important players. The midfielder has always been key for them, but his importance may have been overshadowed due to the other players that were in the team at the time.
