West Ham have just signed Declan Rice’s replacement as terms agreed – pundit
Flynn Downes may have been signed to replace Declan Rice at West Ham.
That’s according to former Aston Villa and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the latest transfer dealings at the London Stadium.
West Ham announced the signing of Downes, 23, from Swansea City on 7 July.
Football Insider understands the Hammers agreed a deal worth £12million for the boyhood Irons fan.
There has been near-constant speculation over Rice’s future since he established himself as a key player for West Ham.
McLeish claims Rice could move next summer and suggested Flynn has arrived this summer to shadow West Ham’s star man.
“He’s a holding midfielder, that’s a Declan Rice position,” McLeish told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild
“So, that’s West Ham possibly gearing up for the future because of the fresh speculation surrounding Declan.
“That speculation will continue, he is a top-class player and I’m sure a bigger club will come looking for him.
“This is a great opportunity for Downes to shadow Declan over the next season and he will get the occasional introduction into the team.”
Downes ended the 2021-22 campaign with 39 appearances across all competitions and he even wore the captain’s armband on occasion.
Essex-born Downes told Swansea club media earlier this year (2 January) that he was a West Ham fan and came from a family of Hammers.
In other news, David Moyes has blocked Hammers from signing a star after a deal is all but done by GSB.