Southampton can once again call themselves a Premier League team after overcoming Leeds United in the play-off final last weekend.

There have been some bumps in the road for the Saints throughout the campaign, but they managed to make it count when it mattered, and they are now reaping the rewards.

Southampton now head into the summer transfer market as a top-flight team, meaning they may have more options to explore when it comes to signing and selling players.

One player who was a key part of their promotion success was midfielder Flynn Downes, and he will likely be someone manager Russell Martin would love to have at the club again next season, but there seem to be doubts about whether a deal may happen or not.

West Ham are prepared to wait before making Flynn Downes decision

Southampton signed Flynn Downes last summer on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side West Ham United.

The midfielder joined the Hammers the summer before but struggled to make a regular impact for the club in that single season.

So, it was decided he would spend the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Southampton, where he excelled. The midfielder played 37 times for the club in all competitions, scoring two goals and chipping in with three assists.

Downes started all but two games he was available for, so he was an important player in Martin’s team, and therefore, it is no surprise that reports state the Saints boss is keen to strike a deal over the summer.

The loan deal didn’t include a buy option, meaning if Southampton are to sign the player this summer, they will need to find a new agreement. However, according to the Evening Standard, West Ham are willing to wait before making a decision about his future at the club.

New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is keen to cast his eyes over his squad before making any decisions about their futures. The report also suggests that selling Downes could leave the Hammers short on the number of home-grown players they have.

So, there are complications to getting Downes at the club for next season; therefore, the Saints could turn to Coventry City’s Ben Sheaf as a possible alternative.

Southampton should turn to Ben Sheaf if Downes deal doesn’t happen

It seems that Russell Martin would be keen on bringing Flynn Downes back to the club this summer; it is just unclear if a deal can be done and if that deal would be another loan or a permanent switch.

It is understandable why Martin will want the midfielder to re-join the club, as he fits the profile that he likes to have in his team, and he was very impressive for them throughout the campaign.

However, Southampton will not want to play a waiting game, and therefore, they may need to start looking at possible alternatives should a deal become hard to do.

If the club are to look at alternative players, then Coventry City’s Ben Sheaf should be someone near the top of that list.

He has been with the Sky Blues on a permanent basis since 2021, and in that time, he has helped the club to promotion out of League One as well as compete for a play-off spot in the Championship, which they did in the 2022/23 season.

Sheaf’s importance has grown and grown for Coventry, with him becoming one of their most important players. The midfielder has always been key for them, but his importance may have been overshadowed due to the other players that were in the team at the time.

This season just gone, Sheaf showed how good he is as a player, as he started 30 of the 31 league games he was available for, averaging 84 minutes on the pitch per game, and his performances were even recognised by Sofascore.com on several occasions.

The 26-year-old finished the season with three goals but was a constant threat in front of goal, as he averaged 1.5 shots per game. Sheaf didn’t register any assists in the league, but he did create two big chances for his teammates, as well as averaging 1.1 key passes.

Sheaf has received plaudits for his ability to attack and defend in the midfield area, as shown by these defensive numbers.

The midfielder averaged 1.4 interceptions per game, an impressive 3.4 tackles, and he recovered the ball a staggering 7.1 times, as per Sofascore.com.

Sheaf seems to have just got better and better as a footballer as the seasons have gone by, and it may only be a matter of time before he gets a big money move. He could be the perfect addition for a Russell Martin team, as he can drive forward with the ball, posing a threat in the attacking areas, as shown by his numbers from the 2023/24 season.

But as well as attacking, Sheaf has proven to be very important in protecting his defence, sweeping up any danger that comes his way. It must not be forgotten that the 26-year-old is very comfortable on the ball, and given his ability, he seems to be a player that suits how Southampton play.

The one concern for the Saints would be that Ipswich Town and Fulham have been linked with the Coventry man in the past. While it has also been recently reported that Luton Town are preparing to make an offer for the player.

So, if they were to go after Sheaf this summer, they may face some stiff competition as other teams have taken note of his performances.