West Ham strengthen Kyle Walker-Peters transfer talks as Southampton identify replacement
West Ham remain in talks with Southampton over the signing of defender Kyle Walker-Peters, talkSPORT understands.
The Saints I asked The hammers for £10m plus midfielder Flynn Downes for England international Walker-Peters, who is in the final year of his contract.
The Saints have already found a replacement for Walker-Peters, with Japanese right-back Yukinari Sugawara set to undergo a medical ahead of his move from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Walker-Peters had an excellent campaign with Southampton, helping them return to the Premier League at their first opportunity since relegation to the Championship last year.
The defender has entered the final year of his contract and there have been no positive talks about an extension.
This has left the Saints looking to sell or lose the 27-year-old for nothing, with West Ham the most interested in a deal.
The England international moved to the south coast club from Tottenham in 2020 and has made 167 appearances for them.
If the full-back moves to east London, he will become West Ham's third signing of the summer after goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Brazilian star Luis Guilherme.
Meanwhile, Downes spent last season on loan at Southampton and immediately became a key player under manager Russell Martin.
The 25-year-old made 37 appearances in all competitions for them, including a starring role in the Championship play-off final against Leeds where they earned promotion to the Premier League.
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The 38-year-old is desperate for the Brentwood-born star to stay and talks are underway that could include the player in the Walker-Peters deal.
Southampton have already identified a replacement for Walker-Peters in AZ Alkmaar's Sugawara.
The 24-year-old moved to the Netherlands in 2019, initially on loan before joining permanently the following year, and has since become a key player in the Eredivisie side.
The Japanese international is known for his quick decision-making, passing ability and is also a free-kick specialist, able to deliver a brilliant cross or shoot on goal himself.
Southampton have already signed Adam Lallana on a free transfer after leaving Brightonjoining his childhood club 10 years after leaving for Liverpool.
However, another deal to sign a former player has run into problems. on wage demands.
The Saints have also strengthened their defense with the Taylor Harwood-Bellis Signs Permanently of Manchester City after his loan last season, as well as Swansea's Nathan Wood and Peterborough's Ronnie Edwards.
