West Ham United Attacker wants to leave: talks underway with another club…

Flynn Downes has left the door open for a return to West Ham in an emotional farewell message after joining the Saints.

When West Ham signed boyhood Hammers fan Flynn Downes from Swansea he looked like the perfect long-term heir to Mark Noble and Declan Rice.

Athletic, committed, passionate, good on the ball, lovely range of passing.

But yesterday he was sold to Southampton in a permanent deal worth £18m after helping them get promoted back to the Premier League during a season-long loan there.

Although a big favourite with his fellow West Ham fans, Hammer turned Saints star Downes has divided opinion.

Universally adored at Southampton, some West Ham fans feel he would bring more to the team in open play than the likes of Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse – the man he replaced at Southampton.

Others feel the jury was very much out on whether he has what it takes to be a starter in central midfield for the Hammers in the Premier League.

There had been speculation new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui was open to keeping Downes.