"Told West Ham..": Sky Sports journo drops transfer update, supporters will be buzzing - opinion

Dharmesh Sheth has dropped an update on reported West Ham United transfer target Flynn Downes.

In a recent post on Twitter, the Sky Sports reporter revealed that, following a number of reports linking David Moyes with a move for the Swansea City midfielder this summer, the Hammers are now increasingly confident of securing a £12m deal for the central midfielder ahead of Crystal Palace – who are also reported to have made an offer for the 23-year-old.

In his tweet, Sheth said: “West Ham United close to finalising a deal for Swansea City midfielder Flynn Downes. Fee under discussion believed to be worth £12m. Told West Ham ‘increasingly confident’ of completing move.”

Considering just how exciting a prospect Downes has proven himself to be in recent seasons, Sheth’s claim that Moyes is now closing in on a deal for the Swansea starlet is sure to be news that will have left the London Stadium faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 21 League One appearances for Ipswich Town back in 2020/21, the £1.8m-rated talent highly impressed in the middle of the park, making an average of 1.4 interceptions, 2.4 tackles, 33.4 passes, 1.5 long balls and winning 5.6 duels – at a success rate of 63% – per game.

These returns saw the player who Matt Holland dubbed “absolutely outstanding” average a SofaScore match rating of 6.98, ranking him as Town’s seventh-best player in the league that season – earning him a £1m move to Swansea last summer.

The £9.3k-per-week midfielder once again impressed over his 37 Championship appearances for Russell Martin’s side in 2021/22, scoring one goal, registering two assists and creating one big chance for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 61.7 passes, 1.0 long