Southampton news: Damion Downs exit could be blocked, Frank Lampard “watching” Saints man, Ross Stewart update | OneFootball

It looks set to be a busy January for Southampton

It hasn’t been the return to the Championship that Southampton were hoping for so far this season at the halfway stage.

They find themselves in 11th place in the second tier, after the exciting appointment of Will Still did not quite go to plan.

With over a week still to go until the January transfer window is due to open, stories are already emerging around potential incomings and outgoings at St Mary’s.

Here, Football League World takes a look at the latest headlines…

One key factor blocking Southampton, Damion Downs exit

Damion Downs was recruited by the Saints in the summer to much excitement, arriving from Koln in a £6.4m deal.

The 21-year-old is, however, already the subject of potential departure discussions, with Florian Plettenberg reporting that Bundesliga side are interested, among other German top-flight teams.

Downs is said to have an eye on his World Cup chances, having been capped six times by USMNT, but will need more than the one Championship start he’s been afforded to plant himself firmly in Mauricio Pochettino’s thoughts.

The sticking point, however, according to Plettenberg, is Downs’ “top-level contract running until 2029”, which Capology estimates to bring him in £12,500 per week, with £162,500 per year available in bonuses.

Southampton cast eyes in Brazilian leagues

According to a report from Spanish outlet Sport, Southampton are entering a four-team battle for Santiago Ramos Mingo.

The 24-year-old is currently operating in the top tier in Brazil, playing for FC Bahia, and hailing originally from Argentina.

Based on the report from the Spanish site, Southampton are joined by Lyon, PSV and Besiktas in their interest.

Ramos Mingo is a left-footed centre-back, said to be fast and good on the ball and spent some time in the Barcelona youth setup.

Since his arrival at St Mary's Stadium in the summer of 2023 from Sunderland, Ross Stewart's injury struggles have been consistent - and he suffered yet another setback earlier this season away at Derby County.

A hamstring injury sidelined the Scotsman for a 'substantial period' according to previous manager Will Still in October, after appearing in nine matches in succession in all competitions - his longest streak yet in a Saints shirt.

And ahead of the Boxing Day clash away at Oxford United, head coach Tonda Eckert has revealed that Stewart is back on the grass at Southampton's training ground, although he's still some way off returning to action.

Having played just 27 times for the south coast outfit, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Stewart may only have a few months to prove himself to Eckert when it comes to his future at the club.

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has “been watching” Southampton midfielder

It was a tense affair between Coventry City and Southampton when they met in the Championship last time out, with a 1-1 draw and Jay Dasilva red card preceding a scuffle following the final whistle.

But Lampard was not aggrieved enough to hold back his thoughts on the star man of the game, Leo Scienza.

“He’s a really good player,” Lampard said after the match, as quoted by the Daily Echo. “I’ve been watching him.

“I’m surprised. I was like, ‘Who is this fella?’ when I watched a few Southampton clips early this season.

“He’s a very high-level player. It’s a great recruitment from Southampton because he’s a top player.”

With the Sky Blues one of the current favourites for promotion after a surprisingly strong first half of the season, Lampard’s words will have an ominous tone to mid-table Southampton.

The Saints would surely not even contemplate a mid-season sale for the player who only arrived from Heidenheim this summer, but if Coventry go up and the Saints fail to follow them, Scienza’s name may well be brought up again by Lampard.

It would not be the first time promoted sides have raided the second tier for their top talent, and Scienza could well become the next example.