‘Hands off’, ‘cash in’: Some fans react after Newcastle linked with ‘best midfielder in the league’

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are reportedly after Ipswich Town midfielder Flynn Downes, a player incredibly highly rated by his side’s fans and manager.

According to Chronicle Live, the Magpies are keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, who is reportedly valued at £7million, as well as his teammate Luke Woolfenden.

However, the outlet also claims that the economic uncertainty caused by the global health crisis could see EFL player prices slashed and going for half their current price tags.

Downes, who is a former England Under-20 international, has come through the Ipswich academy and has been tipped for a bright future in the game.

He has played 74 times for the League One club so far in his career, registering three goals, and is one of the first names on Paul Lambert’s team sheet.

The Ipswich boss previously admitted that the club may struggle to keep Downes – “the best midfielder in the league” – at Portman Road in the summer.

“Listen, it could well be [his last season with Ipswich],” Lambert is quoted by TWTD as saying in March.

“As I’ve said before if someone comes in with a helluva lot of money are we in a position to turn it down? No, we’re not. In my opinion he’s the best midfielder in the league.”

Club legend Matt Holland, meanwhile, told the official club website about Downes back in December: “I’ll whisper it but if I was a manager he would be the player I’d look to sign. He’s that good.”

What do Ipswich fans make of him? Here is just some of what has been said on social media: