Southampton on Brink of Retaining Manager Martin Amidst Swap Deal Talks for Flynn Downes

Southampton is on the brink of retaining manager Russell Martin, who led the team back to the Premier League last season. The former Norwich defender signed a three-year contract with Southampton and guided the team to a club-record 25-match unbeaten run, finishing fourth in the Championship.

After being relegated in May 2023, Southampton bounced back by defeating Leeds United 1-0 in the play-off final. Since then, Martin has been actively involved in Southampton’s summer recruitment efforts. The team is currently in talks to bring midfielder Flynn Downes back to St Mary’s after his successful loan spell with the team last season.

Southampton hopes to secure Downes from West Ham United in a swap deal that would see defender Kyle Walker-Peters move in the opposite direction. If this deal goes through, Martin will be rewarded with a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until 2027.