It seems the Swans have benefitted from the sale of Flynn Downes from West Ham United to Southampton. Not in what would be called the traditional way, where we believe certain sell on fee’s are negotiated, but as a part of any profit made by the Hammers.

Credible West Ham news page, West Ham Zone, have reported via the BBC that Downes has been sold to Southampton this week in a deal up to eighteen million pounds. The ‘up to’ part of the deal will mean that it potentially isn’t a full sale of eighteen million pounds but simple arithmetic means West Ham have profited to the tune of six million pounds. The official figures for Downes move to West Ham from Swansea is twelve million pounds, irrespective of the figures bandied about when he left Swansea two years ago. (Sky Sports, BBC, Indy sourced agent) Based on that there is a 10% knock on of around £500,000 plus coming to Swansea. How that figure is reached may take a while, but over time that is what the Swans will receive.

Downes was loaned to Southampton in the Swansea / Saints merry go round of players and coaches last summer from West Ham. It seemed his playing time was being restricted at West Ham, so a loan deal reuniting him with ex Swansea manager, Russell Martin was ideal. At that time Saints fans were being rather belligerent as to the appointment of Martin and his coaching staff, an opinion which came back to tap them on the shoulder after he took them to promotion to the Premier League. Not unlike Steve Cooper he left the Swans on the tip of something special (in certain fans minds) and then guided his next club to the top flight.

Downes made thirty seven appearances across all competitions and became a favourite at Southampton. There he was most certainly not a bit part player. The deal to bring Downes to Southampton permanently is an excellent piece of work by the club. At all the clubs he has played for his quality and guile has always been well respected. His West Ham career over his first season wasn’t that bad, he played nine Conference League games but failed to make an appearance in the final. Twenty one league appearances plus numerous cup games split the Hammers fans opinion of him, but his overall quality was evident.

Flynn Downes career at the Swans was extremely impressive, over his thirty seven league games he drew the attention of numerous clubs and it was Crystal Palace who thought they had secured his transfer two years ago. To say West Ham took the the wind out of the Eagles sails is an understatement, with Flynn being a West Ham supporter all his life the decision was easy.

The Swans have benefited to some extent from this latest condition put into Downes transfer to West Ham - but the sale of Joe Rodon from Spurs to Leeds United, with the Swans being the club who Rodon left in 2020 is different. The agreement was similar to Downes in that any sell on would have to be in excess of the sum Spurs paid on transfer. Rodon left them for a fee less than the price Spurs paid, so no cash there sadly.

The importance of these types of clauses will always help the original selling club. With Rodon not, but Morgan Whittaker looks destined to leave Plymouth if the current speculation is correct, and that potentially could be a lot more cash in the bank for the Swans. Flynn, we have no doubt will have an impressive Premier League career no matter the length or the destiny of his new club.

All photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls