Southampton FC, Damion Downs transfer update emerges - it involves Hamburg | OneFootball

Damion Downs' Southampton future hangs very much in the balance ahead of the January transfer window

A fresh update has emerged regarding Damion Downs' potential Southampton exit in January amid interest from Hamburg, who are facing significant divisional competition in their pursuit of the striker.

That's according to a recent report by German outlet BILD, which has claimed that a number of Bundesliga sides with stronger financial resources have joined the race for Downs as talk surrounding a swift departure from the south coast continues to rumble on ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

The 21-year-old joined freshly-relegated Southampton over the summer in a reported £7 million deal, signing a four-year contract following an impressive breakout 2024/25 campaign at Koln in which he scored 11 goals to help the side gain promotion back to the German top-flight.

Downs, however, has struggled considerably since moving to Southampton, where he has failed to open his account from 14 appearances across all competitions under both Will Still and Tonda Eckert.

Currently behind talisman Adam Armstrong in Eckert's pecking order, Downs has been linked with an exit as early as next month and appears to have a number of admirers back in his native Germany.

Fresh Damion Downs, Southampton FC transfer update emerges involving Hamburg

Earlier this month, it was first reported by Kicker that Hamburg had sounded out the potential loan availability of Downs, who is said to be "dissatisfied" with his lack of regular minutes at St Mary's Stadium.

Hamburger Morgenpost has subsequently claimed that Downs, a six-cap international with the United States, is in need of consistent playing time in order to bolster his chances of representing the host nation at next year's FIFA 2026 World Cup, leading him to push for a move away from Southampton.

Regarding Hamburg's interest, however, Die Rothosen reportedly have more primary January transfer targets in the striking department, while BILD's aforementioned update has added that a clutch of unnamed Bundesliga suitors with stronger financial muscle are interested.

Meanwhile, German reporter Florian Plettenberg also took to X to reveal a potential "problem" with the pursuit from Hamburg, which is that Downs has a "top-level contract" with the Championship promotion hopefuls.

As a result, Hamburg's chances of landing the 21-year-old are described as 'extremely slim'. But, with clear interest elsewhere, Southampton perhaps should not sweat too much over this latest update, and it does appear as though the Saints could potentially be open to sanctioning a permanent departure just six months on from his arrival.

Just how much of a loss Southampton could be in line to make on the fee shelled out for Downs' services, mind you, remains to be seen.

Damion Downs has endured Southampton FC nightmare amid Bundesliga transfer interest

It has been a disastrous tenure for all parties, and one which could now be over once the January window rolls around.

Downs arrived as one of Southampton's more significant summer signings but is yet to stamp his authority on the side or show any faint signs of potentially repaying his price tag, with the striker having struggled considerably to force his way.

Indeed, Downs has only started once in the Championship so far this season and hasn't even featured in a starting eleven under Eckert following the German's induction on an initial interim basis at the start of November.

The towering frontman hasn't turned out for Southampton since the end of November owing to injury, and it would be fair to say that his absence has not been sorely felt.

Downs' future is certainly one to watch heading into the new year, and it will be interesting to see just how eager the Saints are to cut their losses.