Deal all but done as Saints close in on CONCACAF Gold Cup...

Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany reports that FC Köln forward Damion Downs is scheduled for a physical

on Tuesday, putting Southampton in position to sign one of their main summer targets. Saints supporters who are

looking for early transfer momentum will be happy to hear that the transaction is “all done and sealed.”

It’s easy to understand why Downs, who is only 21 years old, has been characterised as a top target for new manager

Will Still. The US-citizen striker, who was born in Germany, scored ten goals in the previous season as Köln was

promoted back into the Bundesliga.

Downs played in the last 20 minutes of the USA’s (USMNT) Gold Cup final loss to Mexico yesterday. USMNT took

the lead early in the final, which was held in Houston, Texas’s sold-out NRG stadium. However, the scores were tied

by the time Downs came on at minute 69. After a video review overturned an offside call, Edson Álvarez of Mexico

scored the game-winning goal eight minutes later.

£6.8m Fee agreed – Plus add-ons

According to reports, the transaction will cost Köln Bank €8 million (£6.8 million) up front, with an additional £1.7

million in bonuses possibly coming later. Downs, one of the second division’s most promising attacking talents, is

anticipated to sign a contract till 2029.

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.

In September 2023, Downs made his senior debut with Koln, scoring two goals in the Bundesliga during the short

time before their relegation. However, the youthful striker didn’t let relegation depress him; instead, he set to work,

scoring ten goals to assist the ‘Billy Goats’ return to the first flight.

Saints fans will be hoping Still brings the same energy and acumen to the Championship as his team looks to start

strong after a terrible season.

Some members of the fan base are baffled by Southampton’s decision to spend so much money on a young player

from Germany’s second division. That kind of thinking implies that such supporters do not completely understand

how competitive Bundesliga Two is. For instance, a game between FC Koln and their closest rivals, Fortuna

Dusseldorf, drew 51,500 spectators last season.

Downs could be among the first big additions of the summer, along with Joshua Quashie, of course, but he won’t be

the last. Fans can begin to feel cautiously optimistic if this is the level of the signings that will be made, as Will Still

has made no secret of his desire to overhaul the team.