x

West Ham Join Palace in Downes Hunt - Ipswich Town News

West Ham United are reported to have joined Crystal Palace in targeting former Blues midfielder Flynn Downes, who moved to Swansea last summer.

According to The Athletic, the Swans want £12 million for the 23-year-old, while the Eagles have offered £9 million plus add-ons. The Hammers are said to be ready to match Palace's figure.

Brentwood-born Downes may well favour a move to the East Londoners having grown up supporting them along with his whole family.

TWTD reported in March 2020 that West Ham were among a number of clubs keeping tabs on Downes.

The midfielder left the Blues for the Swans last summer for a fee of £1.4 million and had a hugely impressive campaign in the Championship.

We understand Town will receive a windfall from the deal with a sell-on having been included in last summer’s deal, probably around 10 per cent of the Swans’ profit, although the club isn’t commenting on whether such a clause was put in place.

Palace previously tried to sign Downes in the summer of 2020 when the Blues turned down two bids from the Eagles, the second of £1.6 million.

Meanwhile, former Blues striker David McGoldrick, 34, has joined Derby County on a one-year deal following his Sheffield United release at the end of last season.

One-time Town midfielder Conor Hourihane, 31, has also signed a two-year deal with the Rams having left Aston Villa.

What to read next:

Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.
Blues Beaten By Hammers in Behind Closed Doors Friendlies
Town played two 60-minute behind-closed-doors friendlies with West Ham United at their Rush Green training ground this afternoon.
Halajko New Director of Football Operations, Chenery Appointed Academy Manager
Dmitri Halajko, previously Town’s academy director, has been appointed the new director of football operations, TWTD having revealed Gary Probert’s departure for a job at Liverpool a fortnight ago, while Ben Chenery has been named academy manager.
Town Women Sign Striker Dean
Ipswich Town Women have signed striker Rianna Dean following her Southampton exit at the end of last season.
Chaplin: Opener at Birmingham One to Look Forward To
Ipswich Town’s season opener against Birmingham City is a clash that the whole squad are looking forward to, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Fourteen Sign Contracts Ahead of WSL2 Campaign
Town have confirmed that 14 players have signed new contracts with the women’s side for the WSL2 season ahead.
U21s in Action at Needham
Town’s U21s are in friendly action against Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market at Bloomfields this evening (KO 7.45pm).
Town Women to Host Villa U21s in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women will play a friendly against WSL side Aston Villa’s U21s at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe on Sunday 17th August (KO 2pm).
Town Yet to Open Young Talks
TWTD understands Town are yet to open talks with veteran former England international Ashley Young, but there is interest.