Southampton are set to wave goodbye to James Ward Prowse with West Ham United about to seal the deal, but there could be a familiar face to Russell Martin coming the other way on loan.

Saints are said to have been ready to do business with West Ham for James Ward Prowse because they are willing to put down a lot more of a deposit on the nose, something that is also rumoured to be the stumbling block as to why Romeo Lavia is still not a Liverpool player with the Merseyside club trying to spread the cost.

This is normal business for transfer deals , but cash is still king and the more that you can put down as a deposit as such is an advantage when trying to price a player from a club, the Hammers newly minted with the £105 million for Declan Rice seem to have sweetened the offer with more cash on the table and less spread over a couple of years.

But another thing that has made Southampton listen according to insidefootball.com is that the london club are willing to loan Flynn Downes for the rest of the season, meaning that Saints have a ready made replacement who Russell Martin knows from his time at Swansea City.

Saints have been linked with Downes earlier this summer as have several other Championship clubs, but the 24 year old was unwilling to leave the Premier League on a permanent basis.

Now there could be compromise, Downes struggled to get in the Hammers side last season only starting 7 Premier League games, although he made another 14 off the bench, as well as 9 appearances in the Europa Conference and various other cup appearances.

Saints would have preferred to have taken Downes on a permanent deal and the Hammers were agreeable to that, but the player does not want to leave and so it looks like a compromise can be reached with a season long loan.

There is no mention of any options to buy being included in the deal.

Photo: Action Images

Boris1977 added 21:09 - Aug 9 Great, getting a player who doesn't want to come. Clowns led by jesters.
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claus5 added 21:16 - Aug 9 Do you see the negative in every situation Boris? I have no idea why you even pretend to be a Southampton fan? Cheer up fella!
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Bowlercow added 21:55 - Aug 9 If Downes wants to play big boys football it's a waste of time him staying with Moyes who obviously doesn't rate him Am I glad JWP is going NO Am I sad he is going NO If Moyes allows him to play further forward he may yet make the England squad Thank you Prowsie for all those magical free kicks
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Boris1977 added 23:18 - Aug 9 Hi Claus, fair point well made. However if I was to pretend to be a fan of a club it would be one which isn't as disfunctional as Saints. Maybe bump into you in Nellie's before the Norwich match. I'll be the one with a half empty glass. Together as one
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SanMarco added 23:20 - Aug 9 I would prefer it if he did want to come Claus - wouldn't you?
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Boris1977 added 23:32 - Aug 9 I recall when Kerry Dixon and David speedie came to Saints under Ian branfoot and they were tipped by branfoot to score more goals than shearer would at Blackburn. Speedie mentioned how he was pi££ed off coming to us as he wasn't interested but was pushed to join. Like re-homing a dog that doesn't like you - it'll bite you on the ar&e eventually.
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NYC_Saint added 23:46 - Aug 9 I understand a player who's had a sniff at PL game time doesn't want a permanent move to Champ team. I think that's different to not wanting to come to us - clearly not rated as a starter (otherwise why buy JWP) and was a favorite id RM before. So I think it sounds more like he wants to play but not be a perm championship player again. Bit like Che probably knows he needs to move on another PL contract now as he might not get one again if he stays in championship and continues to be great at everything other than finishing...

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BornAsaint added 01:13 - Aug 10 Good luck JWP, did a great job for a skate. If FD rumours are true and he does come then obviously RM must have also wanted him to come. Also like the fact it’s a loan deal as we have a chance to see if he works for us. Joël Piroe Is the signing I wanna see happen. I think he would get more goals the Armstrong & Adams combined, if they was both too stay! Up the Saints!!!!

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Monksway added 10:39 - Aug 10 Could be a runner - midfield of Flynn Downes, James McAttee (on loan) and Shea Charles if Smallbone goes to Sheffield Utd.
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underweststand added 17:42 - Aug 10 He seems to be a good player to have - even on a loan, but if he doesn't want to come .. is he going to try 100% , and will he want to sign permanent in 12 months time ?
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