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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

West Ham delay Flynn Downes decision as Julen Lopetegui closes in on first summer signing

West Ham are set to delay a decision over the future of Flynn Downes, as Southampton target a permanent move for the midfielder following their promotion.

Downes has enjoyed a superb loan spell with the Saints, who secured an immediate return to the Premier League courtesy of Sunday's 1-0 play-off final victory over Leeds.

Southampton are keen to keep Downes, who also played under Saints boss Russell Martin at Swansea before joining West Ham, the club he supported as a boy, in the summer of 2022. But the loan deal did not include any option or obligation to make the switch permanent.

Downes was serenaded with chants of "We want you to stay" by Saints fans during a celebration at St Mary's on Monday, but was coy when asked about his future, saying: "I can't say too much, we'll see what happens."

Flynn Downes is a fan favourite at Southampton (Action Images via Reuters)

New West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui is expected to want to examine his squad first-hand at the start of pre-season, and West Ham are at risk of being left short on homegrown players if Downes is sold.

Meanwhile, the Hammers are pushing to make Brazil defender Fabricio Bruno their first signing of the summer.

The Flamengo centre-back featured for his country against England in March's friendly at Wembley and his arrival would signal the start of a defensive revamp, as Lopetegui looks to fix the leaky backline that dogged David Moyes's final season.

West Ham want at least half-a-dozen signings this summer and are hoping to have several confirmed before the start of pre-season.

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