West Ham complete £9m signing of Flynn Downes as Joe Allen closes in on Swansea City return

West Ham United have completed the signing of Flynn Downes from Swansea City.

The midfielder had been expected to join Crystal Palace, although the Hammers acted swiftly to secure the services of the 23-year-old. Downes moves to the London Stadium for a fee of £9m in a deal worth up to £14m with add-ons.

He has signed a five-year contract with David Moyes' side having completed a medical at the club's training ground on Thursday.

Joe Allen travelling to Swansea City tonight as Flynn Downes to seal West Ham transfer

His departure represents a significant blow for the Swans, although they are now closing in on a deal for Joe Allen. Russell Martin is a huge admirer of the former Stoke City man and, as revealed by WalesOnline in May, has been determined to bring the Wales international back to his boyhood club this summer.

Having paid around £1.4m to sign Harry Darling from MK Dons while also concluding deals to recruit Matty Sorinola and Nathan Wood, Swansea's ownership group were intent on raising funds before sanctioning a deal that would see Allen return to the club, 10 years on from his big-money exit to Liverpool.

And, following the sale of Downes, it is expected that Allen - who has attracted plenty of interest from Championship clubs and from abroad - will sign a two-year contract with Swansea. He is due in Swansea tonight and is scheduled to undergo a medical at Fairwood on Friday.

Downes joined Swansea from Ipswich Town for a fee in the region of £1.4m last summer. He was a pivotal figure under Russell Martin last season, featuring 39 times in all competitions, scoring one goal.

He was even handed the captain's armband for the FA Cup third-round clash with Southampton in January, such was the faith head coach