£12m man could now join Crystal Palace in January after huge news from West Ham – Our View

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At the start of July, Crystal Palace thought they had a deal wrapped up for Flynn Downes before West Ham hijacked negotiations.

The 23-year-old even told the Evening Standard that he went to bed expecting to travel to south London for a medical the next day, before his boyhood side West Ham saw a £12m bid accepted by Swansea.

Downes has since admitted that it feels “surreal” to be at the London Stadium playing for the Hammers.

Unfortunately, things have turned sour for the England Under-20 international almost immediately, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Crystal Palace make another move in January given their long-standing interest.

What’s the story?

Well, David Moyes surprisingly criticised Downes in public, admitting to the media that “the things I’ve seen of him, he needs to do better” – it isn’t often we hear a new signing spoken about like that.

Now, things have gone from bad to worse. West Ham are said to be closing in on a deal for Lyon maestro Lucas Paqueta, a man who beat Lionel Messi and Neymar to be crowned Best Foreign Player in France last season.

The east Londoners have submitted a bid worth £48m for the Brazil international – who plays in the centre of midfield – and the deal now looks likely to happen.

If a player of Paqueta’s quality does arrive at the London Stadium, it would shove Downes even further down the pecking order in the midfield department.

Flynn Downes could leave West Ham for Crystal Palace

Despite his love for West Ham, Downes did admit to the Evening Standard that he didn’t just join them for the sake of it, and would have gone elsewhere if he felt the move wasn’t right.

Therefore – if things don’t change – he should give serious consideration to another offer from Crystal Palace if it arrives in January. We have a feeling it will arrive.

The south Londoners seem to be obsessed with Downes, and made several bids for him during his time at Ipswich, leading to him handing in a transfer request as he wanted the move.

Then – as aforesaid – the Eagles made another attempt to sign him while at Swansea, before his move to West Ham.

Those on the recruitment team at Selhurst Park clearly rate Downes highly, so if he cannot turn his situation around at the London Stadium, keep an eye on Crystal Palace making yet another bid for him this winter.