Former Blues midfielder Flynn Downes is understood to be on Town’s list of potential recruits this summer.

Downes, 25, spent last season on loan at Southampton from West Ham and the Saints are keen to take him back to St Mary’s on a permanent basis.

According to The Sun, the two clubs are yet to come to an agreement regarding a fee with the Hammers wanting £15 million before add-ons. Kyle Walker-Peters could move the other way.

However, Town are also keen on a reunion with Downes, who is contracted to West Ham until the summer of 2027.

Academy product Downes left the Blues for Swansea in Paul Cook’s famous ‘demolition man’ summer in 2021 having been among the players made to train with the U23s during that pre-season.

However, despite the way his time at Portman Road ended - and having been booed by fans on his first competitive return with the Saints last season - we understand Downes harbours no bitterness towards the club should there be the chance of a Portman Road comeback.

Downes was under briefly consideration for a return to Town last summer but with the financial side of a loan move believed to have been beyond the Blues at that stage.

The Brentwood-born schemer made 75 starts and 25 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring three goals.

Photo: TWTD

rdibble added 06:01 - Jun 29 Can’t see it
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cardinaldom88 added 07:55 - Jun 29 He was often Southamptons best midfielder and stood out toward the end of the season from what I could see. It appeared that much of the play went through him and he was the engine in the middle of the park. It wouldn’t be a bad signing, the treatment by Mr Cook for him and others was completely unnecessary. I think with the coaching that he would get at this club with the KM and others, could see him really achieve the potential we all thought he had when at ITFC.

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Essexnblue added 08:41 - Jun 29 cardinaldom88 absolutely nailed it. I know from the horses mouth that he was forced out by the Cook regime to raise money for future transfers and was made to train with the youths etc. He has improved immensely as he has aged and with these coaches he will excel.
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Linkboy13 added 08:55 - Jun 29 Dozzells looking for a club he would be taylor made for the Premier league i would have him back in a heart beat.
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WeWereZombies added 09:06 - Jun 29 Schemers, we need more schemers...
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ArnieM added 09:27 - Jun 29 Essex blue: if Cook forced him out, why didn’t Town agree a few with Pslace when they came calling then?
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Bazza8564 added 09:27 - Jun 29 Sadly I wince when i read people talking about Morsy and Luongo in a premier league midfield. May I politely suggest that against units like Odergaard and Rice we might lack a little.... And If im not being polite I would suggest they won't be anywhere near it this season, certainly as a partnership. Downes would be a useful addition but we need at least one more alongside him, and then bring Jack Taylor into the equation from the bench. His pace and attacking options will be OK at PL level but not as a starter. Im expecting money to be spent in there and I believe signings will be imminent, the press only get what they are fed by clubs, if a club is happy with a deal in train, you hear nothing. Hull want more cash fro Greaves so leak it, but other clubs without FFP issues will be happy to stay quiet and let the deals go through AFTER June 30th so those profits help them in the next financial year. I have a feeling either side of June 30 is going to be illuminating

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cat added 10:53 - Jun 29 Not sure on this one, although Downes would add some aggression in the midfield, 15 mil sounds a bit toppy. Makes me laugh when I read comments such as “Cooks horrid time” as a few are forgetting he cleared out a lot of the dead wood, such as Chamber’s and Co, added some quality players and his expansive brand of football was entertaining if nothing else. Ok there were undoubtedly some issues with him but I tend to focus on the positives with him!

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algarvefan added 12:57 - Jun 29 Whatever happens, I trust our management team to get it right, there is no doubt he is a very good player but I worry about his temperament. Good luck to the lad wherever he ends up as he is one of our own.
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scooby added 21:25 - Jun 29 No
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minesapint added 22:14 - Jun 30 No thanks. He has quality but he's a red card waiting to happen, so I'd rather not have him chopping down opponents in the Premier League.
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mathiemagic added 07:09 - Jul 1 No thanks from me either, not that good and the dressing room doesnt need the bad attitude he often showed.
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