'Swap for Downs' - Southampton fans urge club to bring back academy star Dom Ballard

Southampton fans are vouching for former academy star Dom Ballard as a possible Saints summer signing after the forward’s breakout season with Leyton Orient in League One.

Southampton’s transfer rumours has been highly unbalanced so far between possible departures and arrivals. While the Saints could be in line for some massive player sales and sell‑on revenues, their activity has been limited in scouting viable options to strengthen the squad.

Apart from former Saint Matt Targett, the club have not been reported to be monitoring any other possible signings. Amidst a fairly slow start in the summer window, club supporters have taken the lead by suggesting an exciting player Southampton should sign.

The player in question is Leyton Orient forward Dom Ballard. Having left Southampton for the League One club last summer, Ballard emerged as the top scorer in the league with 23 goals in the 2025/26 campaign.

This standout performance from the former academy star has led to fans taking notice once again. The interest is such that the club faithful are eager to see him get a chance to prove himself at St. Mary’s in the first team next season.

Saints fans desire a St. Mary’s return for Dom Ballard

Dom Ballard’s monstrous form in the 2025/26 campaign has impressed Southampton fans. With the former Saint emerging as the top scorer in League One with 23 goals, a significant section of Southampton supporters are invested in the idea of bringing him back to St. Mary’s.

Saints supporters stood in unison to demand: “Just go buy him, genuinely good backup.” In fact, some fans didn’t hesitate to give him the role that Damion Downs was supposed to anchor at Southampton last season.

From what the club faithful have seen from Ballard this season in the EFL, they are convinced he can step up better than Downs ever did. One Saints fan mentioned: “Bring him back, swap for Downs.”

Analysing this scenario, Southampton could look to use the failed signing of Damion Downs to pursue Ballard’s signing from Leyton Orient. Although Downs has had a terrible goalless 2025/26 campaign, the forward could help reduce the £15m asking price that Orient have set for Ballard for potential suitors.

It must be noted that Southampton can get a fair discount should they try to re-sign Ballard. With the Saints holding a 20% sell‑on clause for the forward, they could bring him for a relatively low price than any other EFL suitor.

Southampton must look forward to pursue Ballard deal with caution

There’s no denying that Dom Ballard has had a spectacular season by all standards. But Southampton must be cautious before garnering their transfer interest in Ballard. This stems from multiple sporting and financial decisions that the Saints need to analyse regarding the exciting forward.

Sportingly, Ballard is 21 and is coming off the back of a sensational League One campaign. While he is expected to come in handy for Southampton in the Championship, it should not be overlooked that a step up does not come without risk for the Saints.

That’s because Ballard’s previous EFL spells before his Leyton Orient breakout stood far from impressive. Although the forward has matured significantly and stepped up this season, it may be too much for him to get going immediately at Southampton in a major role.

Alternatively, the idea of him arriving as a backup striker needs to be analysed as well. Despite Southampton owning a 20% sell‑on clause for the forward, re‑signing him could require the Saints to part with a £12m fee amid interest from other EFL clubs.

Again, the failed arrivals of Damion Downs and other strikers inexperienced at the Championship level have been well documented at Southampton in recent years. In such a scenario, risking £12m on a promising prodigy in a backup role could be too much to ask.

Still, Ballard remains an exciting option whom Southampton can keep their tabs on for the summer. Should they need an emergency signing if Ross Stewart and other strikers depart, Ballard will be a familiar name they can turn to again.