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Downes Hands in Transfer Request
Tuesday, 1st Sep 2020 10:21

Town midfielder Flynn Downes has handed in a transfer request in the wake of Crystal Palace’s second rejected bid.

In July, TWTD revealed that the Eagles were keen on the 21-year-old with sporting director Dougie Freedman having been at Town’s game at Blackpool at the end of February as the Selhurst Park club continued an ongoing watching brief.

After an initial bid of just over £1 million had been turned down, Palace returned for a further offer last week which we understand was below the £2 million reported and was dismissed out of hand.

Now The Athletic is reporting that Downes, who was TWTD readers’ Player of the Year for 2019/20, has handed in a transfer request in the wake of those bids, which we believe to be the case.

Owner Marcus Evans is understood to have no plans to offload any of the club’s prized assets this summer, despite the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis.

And, while every player has his price, Town would want an overall deal, including clauses such as appearance milestones, worth significantly more than the figures currently being reported if they were to sell the Brentwood-born academy product.

Downes, who we understand has recently taken on a new agent, is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2022 with the club having an option for a further season.

Asked last week whether he would be a Town player this season, Downes responded: “Hopefully, obviously we’ll see. You can never say for sure, but hopefully I will be.”

Quizzed on whether he was aware of any interest, he added: “I’ve heard little bits and bobs but I’m just focusing on the football, that’s all I can say really, I’m focusing on the football and everything else will be taken care of. That’s sort of it.”

West Ham, who Downes supports and who he faced in a friendly at Portman Road last Tuesday, also made their interest known to Town in January, while Fulham are among the other clubs to have been keeping tabs on the schemer. Reports of interest from Arsenal are understood to be wide of the mark.


Photo: Matchday Images



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Ipswichbusiness added 11:29 - Sep 1
This explains why Palace were bidding so low; presumably they knew that he wanted away (I don't blame him) and thought that they had the whip hand in the negotiations.
2

BangaloreBlues added 11:31 - Sep 1
Wouldn't it be great if PL put in a transfer request.
3

shumiheaven added 11:34 - Sep 1
Clearly had his head turned & no doubt this 'new agent' has pushed things along although the figures of around £2m are laughable!
He's nowhere near ready for the top table but could be loaned back here or championship level to build on his potential.
As guttering as this is, can anyone really blame him given the current uncertainty surrounding us and the game in general, if Wolf goes as well, again we've been sold up the river by ME but becoming standard procedure now, we're not the big cheese anymore
2

BeattiesBackPocket added 11:34 - Sep 1
Let's wait and see if this is true first as just rumour at this time. He will be a huge loss for us and I dare say the money won't be reinvested unless it's someone from league two or non league and will definitely reduce the quality of the squad again. Can't blame him for wanting to go if true other than being a fan why would you want to play for Ipswich? A team who doesn't invest with a rich owner who isn't interested putting a plan in place that cannot be implemented OR go play or be on the fringe of the premier league team!? No brainer for him really and if he goes good luck to him surely no one can blame him with what's going on at Portman Road. In my over 30 years this is the most depressed I've been as a town fan
4

shumiheaven added 11:34 - Sep 1
Clearly had his head turned & no doubt this 'new agent' has pushed things along although the figures of around £2m are laughable!
He's nowhere near ready for the top table but could be loaned back here or championship level to build on his potential.
As guttering as this is, can anyone really blame him given the current uncertainty surrounding us and the game in general, if Wolf goes as well, again we've been sold up the river by ME but becoming standard procedure now, we're not the big cheese anymore
0

shumiheaven added 11:34 - Sep 1
Clearly had his head turned & no doubt this 'new agent' has pushed things along although the figures of around £2m are laughable!
He's nowhere near ready for the top table but could be loaned back here or championship level to build on his potential.
As guttering as this is, can anyone really blame him given the current uncertainty surrounding us and the game in general, if Wolf goes as well, again we've been sold up the river by ME but becoming standard procedure now, we're not the big cheese anymore
0

Marinersnose added 11:34 - Sep 1
Downes is our best player by a country mile and when he didn't play last season the midfield really looked lost. He is a player who must strive to improve and division one is so poor. He should play at the highest level and palace would be perfect with Roy Hodgson in charge. He is an excellent coach and will improve Flynn as a player. Id love him to stay but why would he. The squad is just above average and we haven't added a striker which we desperately need. I'm trying to remain positive for the new season
4

shumiheaven added 11:34 - Sep 1
Clearly had his head turned & no doubt this 'new agent' has pushed things along although the figures of around £2m are laughable!
He's nowhere near ready for the top table but could be loaned back here or championship level to build on his potential.
As guttering as this is, can anyone really blame him given the current uncertainty surrounding us and the game in general, if Wolf goes as well, again we've been sold up the river by ME but becoming standard procedure now, we're not the big cheese anymore
0

ArnieM added 11:43 - Sep 1
No I don't blame him . Of course he wants to play at highest level. But please spare us all this bull shyte about wanting to stay , help the Club etc etc. It's taking the piss out of us fans tbh . Just be honest . I'd have far more respect for players if they were open and honest . They don't actually give a stuff about the fans . So stop treating us with disrespect.
2

Ipswichtown4life added 11:46 - Sep 1
It happens to alot of players, they are forced to say they handed in a transfer request, If the fans found out that the club just accept any offer nd were forcing downes out of the club. The club would face abuse, so it's in players contract to say I handed in a transfer request even when they didn't intentionally do it. The club is a joke.
-4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 11:49 - Sep 1
Really, really bad news. I'd hoped he'd stay the season. I expect his head has been turned by the new agent who no doubt even now is watching the £ signs floating before his eyes. We produce half decent players and then they disappear, probably for much less than they should. ***&%!
1

Len_Brennan added 11:52 - Sep 1
Given his contract & the salary cap there is no way he is going to Palace for the kind of money that is being reported, transfer request or not.
How do you replace such an important player? We'd expect to pay at least £1m for a top League 2 midfielder with potential to go further. The bids from Palace, if as reported, are nothing short of insulting, particularly after spending £20m on Eze. Downes has plenty of Championship experience under his belt & we need him, it's not like they are looking to take a punt on a kid from the reserves.
2

hampstead_blue added 11:52 - Sep 1
We can't hold him back and he is 100% correct to ask to go.

Given the choice between PL and Roy, I'm off to Palace. Would be great to work with a coach of Roy's experience.

Good luck to the lad.
1

Nobbysnuts added 11:57 - Sep 1
Jog on to Palace reserves........ Judas
-1

MickMillsTash added 11:57 - Sep 1
A team short on goals now loses its midfield drive and physicality

This has been likely for months- the club must have a Plan in place which hopefully does not involve the ineffectual Nolan or Judge or reliance on the crocks Bishop and Huws.
4

istanblue added 11:59 - Sep 1
Cue a Marcus Evans masterclass in negotiations. We'll get something like £3.5m with add-ons based on if Palace win the PL and Downes makes x amount of England appearances. The reason given for such a sh!te deal will be ''we couldn't stand in his way''. The fact that none of the money we do get will actually be reinvested goes without saying.
2

TimmyH added 12:02 - Sep 1
Not really surprising if the story is true considering the depths we have plunged to...our midfield will be far less combative if he goes although 1 player does not make a team I'd certainly get that sinking feeling (not that I haven't got it already) maybe just even deeper.
1

Michael101 added 12:08 - Sep 1
Wait until the last day of the transfer window then he will go for half his value,that's the Ipswich way unfortunately
2

atty added 12:09 - Sep 1
This highlights the major flaw in part of Evan's plan, ie wanting to gave a number of academy graduates playing regularly in the first. If those players are playing well, and clearly have potential to play at a higher level, other clubs higher up the pyramid and/or in a better financial position than us (that's a lot of clubs) are going to come in for them, whether we are in the PL,C'Ship or League 1.Now we're in Lge1 it's much worse of course, because of the salary cap etc. The guys probably on more than the cap, but what would he get at CP? £20K a week at least l would guess.Question : is the academy really value for money at what £5-£6M a year? Plenty of decent players around now and loads of PL academy players who are released every year.Just raising the point that's all!
2

Michael101 added 12:12 - Sep 1
Also I don't think he will be the only one to leave. Time will tell .
4

TractorRoyNo1 added 12:19 - Sep 1
Can't blame him to want to play at a higher level with more money rumour is Palace will loan him to QPR after buying their top guy.
0

trncbluearmy added 12:28 - Sep 1
This is a normal rich club poor club tactic.
Agent advises player the wage he can expect which will be much more then he is on at ITFC, recommends player puts in transfer request which agent writes and delivers on behalf of player.
FD is not being disloyal he is just being advised.
But unless cpfc (I remember an away game there where supporters were collecting money in buckets to keep club going, how times change) stump up the full amount ITFC want we should turn his request down.
The rot has to stop we cannot keep losing players and replacing with crap look where it has got us.
Flynn does not strike me as the sort of bloke that will sulk, if he does, see out the rest of his contract in reserves. But we have to stop selling our best players otherwise the 10 year decline will just continue.
2

Michael101 added 12:29 - Sep 1
I have a cunning plan,take the money then send chambers,(good idea baldrick)
1

WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:31 - Sep 1
Brazil1982: that's an interesting point. I wonder Flynn's new agent has advised him to hand in a request on that basis. I.e. making it more attractive to Town to sell? Either way, I don't blame him, but we MUST hold out for a decent price. Play hardball with Palace.
1

blues1 added 12:36 - Sep 1
Blue and truesince78. The edp, a norwich paper, have confirmed this as true. Must be then. This is all speculation at the moment, by a site (the athletic)that frankly ive not seen get one story right as yet. But if true, then so be it. Dont want players here who dont want to be here. The biggest shame of it is twofold. One, that he felt the need to lie about it last week, when asked if he would still be here. And secondly, while of course he'd earn a lot more at palace, or wherever he ended up, it will almost certainly be the end of his career, playing wise. Will be like all the other youngsters whove left. And end up playing reserve team football the rest of his career, or sitting on the bench. Unless hes loaned out. The only reason Palace or west ham even want to sign him, is to increase the number of english players on their books.
3


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