West Ham United might have made a significant transfer error during the summer window.
Julen Lopetegui executed some excellent signings for the club, but among these successful moves, there could be a notable oversight.
The West Ham head coach was notably decisive and efficient in his summer transfer dealings, bringing in nine new players to the London Stadium. Simultaneously, the club saw 12 players depart, including numerous releases and loan moves.
This was a massive squad overhaul, an uncommon occurrence in modern football, but it has undoubtedly strengthened the team. Lopetegui’s acquisitions have generally been top-notch, and most of the players he moved on had made minimal impact over the past six months.
Nevertheless, there are now questions about whether he might have made a significant mistake.
Did West Ham err by selling Flynn Downes?
The Hammers sold Flynn Downes to Southampton for approximately £18 million during the summer transfer window (Evening Standard). At the time, this seemed like sound business—a £6 million profit in just a year is impressive.
However, might West Ham have been better off retaining the former Swansea City midfielder?
Downes has started strongly with Southampton, based on his early statistics. In three Premier League matches this season, he has averaged three tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 1.3 clearances, one dribble, and 2.3 key passes per game. He also boasts an impressive 91% pass completion rate (Who Scored).
Downes has been a crucial figure in Southampton’s midfield and has been one of their standout performers despite a challenging start to the season.
Despite this, the £18 million offered for him was a substantial sum that was difficult to refuse. Lopetegui replaced Downes with Guido Rodriguez on a free transfer—who is considered a superior player in every aspect.
In conclusion, although Downes has made a strong start with Southampton, it seems West Ham made the right decision to sell him. However, it will be intriguing to see if this view changes by the end of the season.
