SAINTS youngster Dom Ballard is reportedly the subject of transfer interest from clubs in England and Germany, according to a transfer expert.

The 18 year old scored 13 times in 16 league games for Saints B team last season as they clinched the Premier League 2 Division 2 title.

Having impressed former boss Ruben Selles, the prolific young forward featured in two first team final Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Liverpool.

Ballard also netted 13 minutes into his first team debut against Cambridge United in the EFL cup back in August 2022, making him Saints’ fifth youngest goal scorer.

Ballard signed his first professional contract with the St Mary’s outfit in April 2022 – a three-year deal which is set to expire in June 2024.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now claims that the England youth international could follow in the recent footsteps of fellow promising prospects Jimmy Jay Morgan and Eddie Beach in departing the club.

Three unnamed clubs across England and Germany have taken an interest in the young forward who was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award last season.

Having joined back in 2013 as an eight year old, Ballard has been a key player in the club’s youth set up as he’s risen through the age groups.

Ballard previously spoke to the Daily Echo in January of his ambitions to become a regular first team player at St Mary’s.

He said: “You hear a lot about the Matt Le Tissiers, Alan Shearers, you just want to follow in their path really and do what they’ve done.

“And if I get anywhere near to what they did, then I can say I’ve had an amazing career.

“I’ve got my idols and being at Southampton, obviously James Ward-Prowse and Matt Le Tissier, they’re the idols I want to be like and use to adopt to my game.

“It shows how good the club is that players want to stay here throughout the academy and moving on to the first team.

"It shows how good the club is and if that’s where my career takes me, I’ll be happy.”