Southampton are set to reward Damion Downs with a place in their attacking ranks after he guided Mauricio Pochettino's men through to the semi-finals.
Feels like a long while back, but former Saints gaffer Mauricio Pochettino is certainly winning over the United States' trust nowadays. Weeks ago, Pochettino was inching closer to his sacking date but with a successful semi-final berth, he can emerge glorious too.
And as a matter of fact, the player he entrusted to convert today's final penalty is none other than Southampton's attacking target Damion Downs. Well, this preference says a lot about how much Downs is valued in Pochettino's eyes despite only kick-starting his international career very recently.
Now, I get it, the Saints must be the ones benefiting from Downs' talent and they have laid the initial groundwork as well with their newest action.
In his own words, journalist Florian Plettenberg weighed in on Southampton's approach saying: "The club have now submitted an official offer of €8 million to 1. FC Köln. Boss Johannes Spors is pushing for him, as also via Kölner Stadtanzeiger, and now with an official bid on the table."
Downs must improve from Ioannidis comparisons
First of all, this amount might leave Saints fans wondering whether Downs shares a fraction of the scoring skill set Fotis Ioannidis possesses. After all, the latter has been bringing the goods in front of the goal for a longer period than Downs but the asking price is where the club will have difficulties calling in a deal.
Secondly, Southampton not having to stretch their funds for the 21-year-old isn't out of the question and should they surpass the eight-figure paycheck, then, Downs will be burdened with bigger hopes which aren't always easy to fulfill.
Nonetheless, the transfer chiefs don't appear very doubtful, hence, the fanbase must start calling Downs a Saint in a few days.