On the recent HLTCO podcast, Dan Cook stated that Crystal Palace could be looking at Swansea youngster Flynn Downes this summer after the player continued his progression and impressed last season for the Swans.
The South London outfit has already improved their midfield this summer with Malcolm Ebiowie signing and Cheick Doucoure looking certain to sign very soon, but it doesn’t look like Patrick Vieira’s side is going to stop there.
They have now been linked to Downes, who impressed at Swansea last season despite finishing 15th in the Championship. Cook recently stated on his HLTCO podcast that he could be gotten for as little as £5m or £6m as his progression has impressed sporting director Dougie Freedman.
He said, “But now that he [Flynn Downes] is at Swansea, he has obviously continued his progression. That will be another major tick in the yes column for Dougie Freedman and the rest of the recruitment staff and potentially, you know, for a fee of, say, five or 6 million pounds, you could be securing a player that is extremely comfortable in possession, still has age on his side, still has room for growth.” (9:11)
TIF Thoughts on Downes to Palace…
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder shone for the Swans last season with his one goal and two assists while averaging 1.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 1.1 clearances, and one long ball per game with 92.5% passing accuracy on 65.3 average passes per game. (Whoscored)
They are rumoured to be losing key man Cheikhou Kouyate this summer after the player and club could not come to an agreement over a new contract, and while Docuoure would be the obvious replacement in the starting side there is no reason why Downes could not force himself into the side and push Doucoure higher up the pitch.
For the age of the player, his price, and his potential at just 23 it would be foolish for Palace to not at least enquire about his availability, and with their recent recruitment record, he could be another interesting option for them.
Should Palace sign Flynn?YesNo |