Southampton tipped to axe 2025 recruit after €10m transfer snub - He's been 'a terrible signing' | OneFootball

Southampton have been dealt a blow on their worst signing of the 2025/26 season and need to choose their next steps wisely...

Southampton could yet be a Premier League club next season, but some players will need to move on regardless of the division Tonda Eckert's side are in during 2026/27.

There are players who are not good enough for the Premier League nor the Championship, with the Saints suffering from poor decisions in terms of recruitment in some areas of their current squad.

For every Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza, and Cyle Larin, there is a Ben Brereton-Diaz or Damion Downs. The latter have both spent time out on loan this season after failing to make much of an impact at St. Mary's this term.

Their futures lie away from Southampton, unless a loan is able to revive the 21-year-old's career. Downs will not be returning to Hamburger SV permanently, with the Bundesliga side taking him on an initial loan until the end of the 2025/26 season in the January transfer window - a €10 million option to buy existed within the deal, but the German outfit won't be triggering it.

Disappointed Southampton verdict issued on Damion Downs move

FLW's Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders (FootballMartin_ on YouTube) was asked about the fact Hamburg have reportedly told Saints that they are not triggering Downs’ buy option, and he was asked if he thinks the Saints may now be saddled with the American for a few years as he goes out on different loan deals.

Southampton paid £7m for Downs and, as of now, it’s hard to see them getting their money back. He said: "It's not the greatest, to be honest. From what I have seen and what we have seen of him here, he looked really poor.

"He's probably the most underwhelming signing we've made, the poorest signing we've made. He's been shipped out on loan straight away and only been at the club six months," Martin told FLW.

"We've moved him out and it's going to be hard to turn that back into cash, isn't it? Who is going to want him? He didn't score a goal for Saints and got one assist.

"No assists and no goals with Hamburg too, so all in all, it has been a very difficult time for him. Yeah, Saints' worst signing.

"He struggled to play in the Championship, let alone in the Premier League. If we end up in the Prem, they're going to have to move him on one way or another. I think they were happy to move him on.

"He also wanted to go back to Germany. I think, all in all, just a terrible signing. But they happen, don't they? Now and then?"

Damion Downs patience may be needed at Southampton

You could argue that patience is required with Downs with Southampton, even if his early spell has been underwhelming.

The striker showed in Germany, particularly with 1. FC Koln that he is capable of scoring goals consistently. He operated effectively in and around the box with sharp movement and a natural eye for goal.

That was in the second tier but his struggles, both on the south coast and during his loan with Hamburg, should not overshadow his raw attributes.

Downs possesses the physical profile well-suited to English football: he is strong, able to occupy defenders, and offers a focal point in attack. Those traits cannot be taught easily.

They're exceptional attributes to have for someone so young and adjusting to a new league and its intensity takes time, especially for a young forward.

Southampton must resist the urge for quick judgement. With the right coaching and patience, or the right loan next term, Downs still has every chance to develop into a reliable attacking outlet at some level in England.