West Ham are still in talks with Southampton over a move for defender Kyle Walker-Peters, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
The Saints have demanded £10 million from the Hammers plus midfielder Flynn Downes for England international Walker-Peters, who is in his final year of contract.
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The Saints have already found a replacement for Walker-Peters: Japanese right-back Yukinari Sugawara is currently undergoing a medical before joining from Dutch team AZ Alkmaar.
Walker-Peters had a great season with Southampton, helping the club return to the Premier League after being relegated from the Championship last year.
The defender is in the final year of his contract and there have been no positive talks about an extension.
The Saints face the choice of selling the 27-year-old or losing him for nothing, with West Ham most interested in a deal.
The England international moved from Tottenham to the south coast club in 2020 and made 167 appearances for the club.
If the full-back does indeed move to East London, he would be West Ham’s third new signing this summer after goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Brazilian star Luis Guilherme.
Downes spent last season on loan at Southampton and immediately became a key player under Russell Martin.
The 25-year-old made 37 appearances for the club in all competitions, playing a starring role in the Championship play-off final against Leeds that earned the club promotion to the Premier League.
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The 38-year-old manager is keen to persuade the Brentwood-born star to stay and talks are currently underway that could lead to the player being included in the Walker-Peters deal.
Southampton have already found a replacement for Walker-Peters in Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar.
The 24-year-old moved to the Netherlands in 2019, initially on loan before being signed permanently the following year, and has since developed into a key player for the Eredivisie team.
The Japanese international is known for his quick decision-making and good passing. He is also a free-kick specialist who can both deliver brilliant crosses and take shots on goal himself.
Southampton have already signed Adam Lallana on a free transfer after he left Brighton. Ten years after moving to Liverpool, he returns to his boyhood club.
However, another contract to sign a former player ran into problems due to salary demands.
The Saints have also bolstered their defence with the permanent signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City after his loan spell last season, as well as Nathan Wood from Swansea and Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough.