West Ham have opened talks to sign Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters, with midfielder Flynn Downes discussing a move in the other direction.
Walker-Peters, 27, who has two England caps, is entering the last year of his contract at St Mary’s.
The former Tottenham full-back joined the Saints in 2020 and has played 167 games.
He could become the Hammers’ third signing of the transfer window after goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme.
Downes, 25, who had a successful season on loan at Southampton as they earned promotion to the Premier League through the Championship Play-Off final against Leeds, could move in the other direction.
The negotiations are another example of a potential swap deal in the Premier League, which could help the financial position of both clubs, amid restrictive profit and sustainability regulations.
Multiple similar deals involving Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Leicester and Everton have been discussed this week.
It has turned the June 30 accounting deadline into a mini-transfer deadline day for clubs and incentivised the sale of academy players.
