The Sky Sports journalist has reported via X on 16 July that the announcement could even come within the next 24 hours.

Downes is now finalising his contract at St Mary’s after spending last season on loan to help them back into the Premier League.

West Ham United ready new Flynn Downes transfer

West Ham have undergone many changes throughout the summer window thus far and will no doubt be dipping their their toes back into the transfer market again.

Max Kilman has already arrived to help sure up their defensive line and will no doubt help the Hammers improve their league standing next season.

Julen Lopetegui’s midfield is arguably the strongest area of his team so a move for Downes makes sense.

The transfer is reported to be worth around £18m [Sheth, 15 July] and could help sweeten the deal for Kyle Walker-Peters should the London-based club make a bid for the right-back.

Although Downes would have been a solid addition to the team, it’s unlikely that he’d have played week in and week out over the likes of Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez.

The fact that he’s moving to the Saints also makes a lot of sense as Russell Martin said in an interview last week that he’d “cry himself to sleep” [Daily Echo, 13 July] if Southampton didn’t manage to acquire his services.

All in all, this is a good deal for all parties and will no doubt help towards West Ham’s rebuild.