Wolves are interested in rivalling Southampton and Crystal Palace for the transfer of Flynn Downes, who would only be the Molineux outfit’s second signing from Swansea City so far.
Downes has caught the eye of a clutch of Premier League clubs this summer after a strong debut campaign in south Wales. The 23-year-old joined the Jacks last August from Ipswich Town in a £1.5m move, rising up to £2m, and soon established a role under Russell Martin.
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Swansea have anticipated interest in Downes this summer in line with his performances at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Championship side are eager to raise funds to plug a gap in their books, too, but value the midfielder who has three years on his contract at £11-12m.
Wolves among clubs to inform Swansea of interest in Downes
Now, Wales Online report that Wolves are among the Premier League outfits to express an interest in signing Downes to Swansea. Bruno Lage’s side, Southampton and Crystal Palace have all made contact with the Jacks to discuss his possible availability over the off-season.
A handful of top-flight clubs have made tentative approaches after Downes registered the sixth-most passes per Championship game (66.6) in the regular term last season by players who featured in at least five games, per WhoScored, with 61.7 passes finding a teammate.
Reports by The Times have also long cited Leeds showing interest in Downes as a potential replacement for Kalvin Phillips. But Wales Online note that the Elland Road natives are yet to hold talks with Swansea, despite Phillips closing in on a £45m move to Manchester City.
Downes offered a combative presence in Martin’s engine room last term across 37 second-tier appearances as the deep-lying midfield option. He also provided two assists and a goal over his Championship outings, of which the former England U20 international started 34.
Now moving to Molineux would make Downes just Wolves’ second signing from Swansea so far amid Lage’s interest. So, with that in mind, who has previously made the move from south Wales to the West Midlands, and who has made the move in the opposite direction?
De Vries sole Swansea star to switch to Wolves for Downes to follow amid interest
Dorus de Vries is so far the sole Swansea star to join Wolves for Downes to potentially now follow amid Lage’s interest. The Molineux natives signed the goalkeeper from the Jacks for free in June 2011 ahead of the Dutchman’s contract with the Swans expiring that month.
He had played a key role in helping the Jacks secure promotion into the top-flight from the play-offs that season. The Beverwijk, Netherlands native kept 22 clean sheets across his 49 appearances in 2010/11, including play-offs. But De Vries only played 20 times for Wolves.
Bennett the last player to move between Wolves and Swansea amid Downes interest
Ryan Bennett is the last player to move teams between Wolves and Swansea amid interest in Downes this summer. The Swans signed the defender in 2020 after three years with the Molineux natives, of which he had spent the opening half of 2020 on loan at Leicester City.
The centre-back amassed 92 appearances over his time in the West Midlands after leaving Norwich City after five years. But Bennett has so far only made 49 outings at Swansea, and Wales Online note Reading are now considering the 32-year-old after he fell out of favour.
Swansea struck temporary deal with Wolves for Gibbs-White in 2020
The summer of 2020 also saw Morgan Gibbs-White trade Wolves for Swansea as he joined the Jacks on loan. It marked the midfielder’s first move away from Molineux, but returned just six appearances before he returned to the West Midlands during the January window.
Wolves recalled Gibbs-White during the mid-season market after the 22-year-old returned from a fractured foot, which had derailed his time in south Wales. The blow kept him out of action for three months, and unavailable for 18 of a potential 23 Championship fixtures.
Lowe featured in first Premier League-era transfer between the clubs
Keith Lowe featured in the first Premier League-era transfer between Wolves and Swansea with his move in 2006. The Swans signed the centre-half on an emergency short-term loan during that March after they had lost Kevin Austin, Izzy Iriekpen and Steven Watt to injury.
Lowe would feature in four of a potential five League One fixtures during his time in South Wales, helping to two wins. He also made two appearances in the EFL Trophy as the Jacks lifted the cup, playing the full 90 minutes as Swansea beat Carlisle United 2-1 in the final.
Kendall unable to repeat Wolves record after Swansea switch
Mark Kendall was unable to repeat his record with Wolves after the goalkeeper moved to Swansea in 1990. He had enjoyed a lengthy run as a first-team regular at Molineux over his four years at the club. But the Welshman was often a backup over two years at the Jacks.
Kendall’s ever-present fixture between the posts at Wolves also helped the club seal back-to-back promotions from Division Four and Three. He also helped the West Midlands outfit win their only Football League Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Wembley in 1988.
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