Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Southampton are all interested in West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes, as per a report from Football Insider
He was touted as a long-term replacement for now departed star Declan Rice but with the millions coming in for the England international, other players have been signed and Downes looks to have been pushed further down the pecking order without being given a real chance to make the starting spot his own.
Now, as per a report from Football Insider, the ex-Ipswich Town man is drawing interest.
Championship trio Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Southampton are all said to be vying for his signature this summer. Crystal Palace are also admirers with an exit looking more likely due to the new signings in the middle of the park.
Downes made 35 appearances for the Hammers last season, 21 of those coming in the Premier League.
During his short but successful time with Swansea City, there were few Championship players better in possession that Downes. He’s so reliable and composed on the ball, boasting a passing range that previously made him a standout at this level.
His move to the Premier League was a deserved one and even if he has to drop back down the second-tier, it shouldn’t be long before the Brentwood-born midfielder is back in the top-flight.
Southampton obviously need a midfielder after a deal for James Ward-Prowse was agreed. Leeds United are set to lose Tyler Adams too, and even before his agreed move to Chelsea they were looking light on the ground in the middle. Middlesbrough’s need for a central midfielder isn’t quite as strong but if Downes is available, he’s someone Michael Carrick could work really well with.
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The young striker has now enjoyed two very strong loan stints in the Championship and is in need of a permanent home with Villa seemingly not keen to give him that chance, and Leeds need to be at the front of the queue with a handsome offer.
Two goals and an assist in the Under-21 European Championships for England capped off a stunning season for Archer, after helping fire Boro to a top-six finish with 11 goals and six assists in just 22 appearances.
A clinical finisher in the box, Archer was a huge reason for Middlesbrough’s promotion charge last season as they looked to push the top two later in the campaign, and Carrick praised the striker heavily after a brace away at Sheffield United (via the Northern Echo):
“Credit to him, he’s a terrific lad who’s settled really quickly and loves it here. He’s a big part of the group and I thought his performance in terms of his movement and finishing was excellent.
“He’s smart and he’s clever. His link-up play and all-round game, for being a little bit smaller, he uses his body really well. All round it was a really good performance and getting his goals is obviously a massive lift for him.”
How much he’s available for remains to be seen but the Villans seem happy to cash in amid interest from a “number of suitors”.
