- Russell Martin has said he will ‘cry himself to sleep’ without a specific signing
- Southampton have already added five players to their squad this summer
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Russell Martin has claimed he will cry himself to sleep if he cannot sign a certain West Ham player this summer.
The Southampton manager admitted he wanted the deal done ‘four weeks ago’ and the process had taken its toll.
Saints are back in the Premier League for the first time in their career after beating Leeds United 1-0 in the play-off final. They open their season against Newcastle on 17 August.
They have already added five players to their squad, including Taylor Harwood-Bellis – who is making his £20million loan from Manchester City permanent – and Adam Lallana, who is a free agent.
And Martin is keen to sign Flynn Downes from West Ham, who spent last year on loan at St Mary’s and is a key player in the promotion squad.
Russell Martin has claimed he will ‘cry himself to sleep’ if he cannot sign Flynn Downes
Downes was loaned to Southampton from West Ham last season and was a key player
“Hopefully he will be wearing a Southampton shirt before the end of the summer,” Martin said.
“If he’s not, I’ll cry myself to sleep. It’s going to take more time. We just have to be patient. I wanted him here last week, four weeks ago even.
‘I hope that at some point we will show enough love and give West Ham enough money [for him].
Downes made 37 appearances for Southampton last season, having made 35 appearances for the Hammers the season before.
Southampton offered Kyle Walker-Peters plus a cash fee for the 25-year-old last month, according to The Athletics.
In addition to Harwood-Bellis and Lallana, former academy players, the Saints have also added Nathan Wood, Ronnie Edwards and Charlie Taylor to their ranks.
Martin, who recently signed a new three-year deal, discussed their transfer policy and said: ‘We need to add a few things. We want to strengthen the squad as much as possible within the financial limits that don’t put pressure on the club.
“I think we’ve recruited really well so far. Generally it’s British players who want to be at Southampton.
According to reports, the Saints are willing to part with Kyle Walker-Peters and a cash fee for the midfielder, 25
‘That’s really important. We’re not just going to sign players who want to play in the Premier League and earn a lot of money.
‘So far we have signed players who are eager to be here and who don’t just see this as a place where they can earn a transfer to another club.
‘There has to be a balance. We have brought in young players who have played a lot of football in England.
‘We have Adam Lallana who has made a huge difference on the training pitch in his first week.
‘The way he trains and the way he conducts himself, he’s going to be a massive asset to the group. Charlie Taylor is the same.
‘We have balanced Ronnie and Woody, two excellent young centre-backs, with Charlie and Adam.
“We will sign players with experience. I think some people underestimate experience, but we will also sign players who are exciting for the future.”