Ipswich Midfielder Hands in Transfer Request Amid Crystal Palace Interest

Crystal Palace target Flynn Downes has handed in a transfer request at Ipswich Town in order to engineer a move to the Premier League.

The central midfielder featured 32 times in all competitions for the Tractor Boys last season, scoring twice and providing a further two assists. His impressive performances have attracted the attention of top-flight clubs, with Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace already seeing two bids rejected.

Now, The Athletic report that Downes has taken matters into his own hands by requesting a move away from Portman Road, in an attempt to force the club's hand.

Palace's targeting of Downes is further evidence that the club are looking to freshen things up with young talent, and bring down the average age of the squad. Last season, the Eagles fielded the oldest average starting XI in the Premier League, and were often left wanting in front of goal.

Manager Roy Hodgson has already dipped into the Football League in order to snare two young talents, and Downes would be another feather into the cap of Palace's new recruitment drive. 19-year-old Nathan Ferguson has joined from West Brom on a free transfer, while Eberechi Eze is another highly-rated youngster who has made the step up to Premier League level.

He's joined on a five-year deal from QPR, in a deal worth close to £20m, and will shortly be joined by
20-year-old midfielder Conor Gallagher, who is poised to join on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

As for Paul Lambert's Ipswich, they finished 11th in League One last season after their campaign was cut short due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They are said to value Downes around the £4m mark, double what Palace have previously bid for the youngster.

Ipswich are keen to keep him at Portman Road for as long as possible, and with two years remaining on his contract, Downes could spend at least another season at his boyhood club unless Palace are prepared to stump up the cash.