Southampton are on the verge of landing one of their top summer targets, with FC Köln forward Damion Downs reportedly set for a medical on Tuesday, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. The deal is said to be “all done and sealed” which will be music to the ears of Saints fans hoping for early transfer momentum.
Still just 21 years old, Downs has been described as a key target for new boss Will Still, and it’s easy to see why. The German-born striker, who has US citizenship, bagged 10 goals last season as Köln won promotion back into the Bundesliga.
Downs featured in the final 20 minutes for the USA (USMNT) in yesterday's Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico. The NRG stadium in Houston, Texas was sold out for a final that saw USMNT take the lead early on. However, by the time Downs entered the action on 69 minutes, the scores were level. Mexico scored the winner eight minutes later through Edson Álvarez after a video review reversed an offside call.
£6.8m Fee agreed – Plus add-ons
The deal will reportedly see Koln bank €8 million (£6.8m) up front, with another £1.7m in bonuses potentially to follow. Downs is expected to sign a deal through to 2029, locking down one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the second tier.
Despite yesterday's disappointment in the Gold Cup final, Downs is booked in for his Saints medical on Tuesday. No delays are expected, no bumps in the road; this one looks as smooth as the St Mary's turf in August.
From Bundesliga to the Championship
Downs made his senior debut for Koln in September 2023, managing two Bundesliga goals in a brief spell before their relegation. But rather than let relegation get him down, the young striker got down to work and helped the 'Billy Goats' back to the top flight with a double-digit tally of goals.
Saints fans will be hoping that he brings that same hunger and sharpness to the Championship, as Still’s side look to make a solid start after a catastrophic campaign.
Among the fanbase, there are some who can't quite get their head around why Southampton have put so much into buying a young player from the second tier of German football. To think that way suggests that those fans do not fully appreciate the competitiveness of Bundesliga Two. Last season a match between FC Koln and their nearest rivals Fortuna Dusseldorf drew a crowd of 51,500 for example.
Downs unlikely to be the last major signing of the summer
While Downs may be one of the first major signings of the summer, not forgetting Joshua Quashie of course, he’s unlikely to be the last. Will Still has made no secret of wanting to reshape the squad, and if this is the calibre of signing to come, fans can start to feel cautiously optimistic.