The Seattle Sounders have been monitoring Southampton and USMNT striker Damion Downs, sources tell Lobbing Scorchers.

Downs' name surfaced this week as a potential MLS target, with Southampton reporter Alfie House reporting that he's drawn interest from multiple clubs in the league.

Club sources indicated that Seattle have held a discovery claim on the 22-year-old dating back to his time in the US youth national team setup.

Downs spent the second half of last season on loan with Bundesliga side Hamburger SV after struggling for playing time following his move to Southampton. He went scoreless in league play across both stops and now faces additional competition for minutes following Southampton's season-long loan acquisition of Manchester City striker Divin Mubama.


According to sources, Downs is open to a move to MLS, but a transfer could require a fee in the neighborhood of $6 million to $9 million.

Downs' potential roster designation could also complicate a move. While his age makes him eligible for the U22 Initiative, his salary would need to fall within the mechanism's requirements. Otherwise, an acquisition at that price could require Seattle to use a Designated Player slot.

While Downs is a player Seattle have monitored, the interest was characterized as preliminary, with no indication that a deal is currently advancing. At this stage, all of that indicates a move to Seattle is unlikely to materialize.