Crystal Palace are in talks for £8m Swansea star Flynn Downes

Crystal Palace are in talks for £8m Swansea star Flynn Downes as Patrick Vieira looks to reinforce squad options, after midfielder missed behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly with Colchester

  • Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Flynn Downes for £8million from Swansea City
  • The 23-year-old was absent when Swansea faced Colchester United in a friendly
  • Wolves, Southampton and Leeds United are also interested in Downes’ services
  • Swansea view Joe Allen as a potential replacement for Downes this summer 

Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Flynn Downes for around £8million from Swansea City this summer. 

The 23-year-old was absent when Swansea faced Colchester United in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday afternoon. 

The game – which took place at the club’s Fairwood training complex – was split into 30-minute quarters and featured several fringe players. 

Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Flynn Downes for around £8million from Swansea City

Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Flynn Downes for around £8million from Swansea City

Downes – who was a key player for Swansea last season – did not feature for the hosts amid the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.  

Crystal Palace are among a host of clubs vying for Downes’ signature. Wolves, Southampton and Leeds United have all registered an interest in signing the midfielder. 

However, Patrick Vieira looks set to win the transfer race this summer as a deal between Palace and Swansea is close to completion.

Downes (right) - who was a key player for Swansea last season - did not feature in the club's pre-season friendly against Colchester United on Tuesday afternoon

Downes (right) – who was a key player for Swansea last season – did not feature in the club’s pre-season friendly against Colchester United on Tuesday afternoon 

Palace have been long-term admirers of Downes. They previously tried to sign the Essex-born midfielder during his time at Ipswich. 

However, a deal between the two clubs never materialised as Ipswich were demanding too much for the starlet – who made 100 appearances for the club. 

Downes was one of Swansea’s standout performers last season after joining the club on a four-year deal worth £1m in August 2021.

Replacing Downes with a quality midfielder will be vital for Swansea next season as they embark on another Championship campaign. 

Manager Russell Martin has identified Joe Allen – a former Swansea youth player – as a potential replacement for Downes. 

Allen, who grew up in Pembrokeshire, started his career in the Swansea academy before making 150 senior appearances. 

Swansea have identified Joe Allen as a potential replacement for Downes next season

Swansea have identified Joe Allen as a potential replacement for Downes next season

He then left the club to sign for Premier League giants, Liverpool, in a £15m deal in 2012. 

The Welsh midfielder went on to join Stoke City from Liverpool for £13m after struggling to secure a regular place in Jurgen Klopp’s side. 

Allen became a regular starter for Stoke last season, making 41 league appearances for the Potters. 

He will be looking to continue such fine form at Swansea next season – despite being 32 years old. 

source: dailymail.co.uk