Southampton FC transfer news: Daniel Peretz update, Damion Downs exit talk, defender to leave St Mary's | OneFootball

FLW rounds-up the latest transfer news on the South Coast.

Despite appearing to be resurrected under the guidance of Tonda Eckert, Southampton have been rocked by a recent poor run of results in the Championship.

The German was appointed into the Saints dugout after a run of four wins from his opening five games in interim charge, and after being given the reins on a full-time basis, he also secured back-to-back victories against Birmingham City and West Brom.

But in recent times, the Saints have slumped into the form that saw Will Still relieved of his duties earlier on in the campaign, with the South Coast outfit failing to secure a victory in their last six second-tier outings, while a 4-0 thumping at Middlesbrough last Sunday has done little to inspire confidence that they can push themselves into the promotion conversation.

With inconsistency cropping up in the Southampton camp from both a performance and results perspective, Eckert needs to find a solution quickly if the Saints are going to rise up the Championship table and secure a play-off place by May, as the games continue to arrive thick and fast over the winter period.

Meanwhile, the January transfer window could give Southampton some respite, with this time vital to bolstering the squad and ensuring that some extra quality can be added to some departments that could make all the difference for a promotion push.

Eckert and the club will be hopeful of a busy period at the turn of the year given they possess one of the more dominant financial budgets in the division, with some ambition from the hierarchy potentially going a long way to restoring the club’s place among England’s elite sides.

With this in mind, Football League World provides you with an update on all the latest transfer talk surrounding Southampton.

Daniel Peretz goes on strike at Hamburg to force Southampton move

As per a report by Kicker, Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Peretz has reportedly gone on strike in order to force a move through to Southampton during the January transfer window.

Peretz, on loan at Hamburg from Bayern Munich, was initially late to report for Hamburg training last Friday due to a flight cancellation, but Kicker has since revealed that Peretz has been based in the city all weekend, deciding not to report to training in order to protest a move to St Mary’s.

There is confidence that a deal for Peretz to move to England will go through, but he Is yet to leave Hamburg due to the German side needing to source a replacement goalkeeper, with his loan yet to be terminated until this is facilitated.

Hamburg are currently running at a reduced speed when it comes to transfer business due to the resignation of one of their sporting board members, but are seeking an experienced shot-stopper to offer competition in their ranks.

After that, Southampton should be given ghe green light to seal the transfer and bolster their goalkeeping department.

Damion Downs linked with Werder Bremen loan switch during January transfer window According to German outlet Bild, Saints forward Damion Downs is once again being linked with a move away from Southampton to the Bundesliga, with Werder Bremen the latest side to register their interest.

As per the report, Werder Bremen are desperate to improve their options at the top end of the pitch, and have placed Downs on their shortlist to arrive and add much-needed firepower.

Contact has already been made between the two clubs and talks are believed to be underway over a loan move.

Hamburg, who were also touted for a move for Downs earlier in December, haven’t dropped their interest either, with Southampton potentially getting a better deal from two clubs battling it out for Downs’ signature.

It appears that Downs himself is keen on a return to German football and eager to put such a dismal beginning to his Southampton spell behind him.

Southampton agree Zack Awe departure to Salford City

According to Football Insider, Southampton and Salford City have reached an agreement for the transfer of defender Zack Awe.

The 21-year-old is set for a permanent move to the League Two side after the two clubs agreed terms on a deal.

Awe initially came through the Arsenal academy system before moving to underage level at St. Mary’s in 2023.

The youngster made the temporary move to Accrington Stanley last season, where he made 21 appearances in League Two, helping the team earn a 21st place finish.

Unfortunately for Awe, he has been unable to break into the first team squad at Southampton, and is clearly not a part of Tonda Eckert’s long-term plans.

But he will be buoyed by the chance of getting stuck in at the fourth-tier level and competing for promotion to League One at the Peninsula Stadium.