A major update has emerged on Paul Cook's transfer plans this summer, regarding defensive midfielder Flynn Downes.
What's the talk?
According to Football Insider, Championship side Barnsley are interested in a deal to sign Ipswich midfielder Flynn Downes this summer. Barnsley are said to be preparing an offer for the Englishman after being impressed with his displays for the Blues in League One.
The report claims that Ipswich manager Paul Cook is willing to cash in on Downes and would not stand in his way if a reasonable bid came in for his services. Downes is heading into the final year of his contract at Portman Road and Barnsley are looking to pounce on the 22-year-old.
Back in 2019, former Ipswich midfielder Matt Holland hailed the “outstanding” midfielder for his performances for the club under Paul Lambert. He told Ipswich's website, as relayed by the EADT:
"Flynn is a player I've known for quite a long time because my son did a bit of training with the academy and I did a bit of coaching here as well.
"Straight away he was one who caught my eye and he was only 10 or 11 years old. I thought he had the temperament and character to go a long way, as well as the ability and talent of course.
"He's proving that again this season and I think he's been absolutely outstanding - a key player for Paul Lambert."
Fans will be livid
Ipswich fans will be livid at this news for several reasons.
Downes is a long-time servant to Ipswich and has been at the club since he was seven, joining the academy in 2006 and making his first-team debut in 2017 against Birmingham in the Championship. T
his means that Cook could be about to let one of the club's academy products go, which could anger fans who are attached to local players more than those who come in from other clubs in England or from abroad.
Downes has also been a shining light on the pitch for Ipswich. The 22-year-old averaged an excellent WhoScored rating of 6.98 in 10 starts as a defensive midfielder in League One. He averaged 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game for Ipswich, which is skewed by seven substitute appearances lowering his numbers.
That shows that he is adept at winning the ball back for his side. Therefore, he is a quality defensive midfield option at this level and could be a key player for Cook next season if he remains in Suffolk.
The £2.3k-per-week beast has plenty of room to improve at such a young age. Downes turned 22 in January and could be a player with more scope for development, but Ipswich fans will not be able to watch that happen at Portman Road if Cook sells him this summer.
They could miss out on potentially watching him flourish as a player and that could leave Ipswich fans livid at this sale if it goes through as reported, which is why Cook is headed for a disaster with this decision.
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