LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer Transfer News

‘Great place for him’: Ex-England star thinks Southampton move ideal for talent former Saint has frozen out

Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

The former England winger Trevor Sinclair has changed his mind about a move to Southampton for the Manchester United left-back Brandon Williams.

Williams continues to be linked with a January switch to St Mary’s, having fallen behind Alex Telles and Luke Shaw – a former Southampton player – in the United pecking order.

The 20-year-old has appeared on 39 occasions for the Red Devils’ first-team, but only three times this season.

According to Talksport, Southampton held talks about a summer loan deal for Williams, whom the broadcaster claims was ‘really keen’ on the idea.

No such move materialised, however, with United said to have ultimately decided against it.

But it is suggested their stance may have altered – much like Sinclair’s opinion.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24:   Brandon Williams of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Manchester United and Istanbul Basaksehir at Old Trafford on November 24, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Discussing the rumour on Talksport earlier, the 47-year-old said: “He’s very combative. He likes to get close to the winger. I’ve been impressed with him. (He’s) quick.

“But I was wondering why he would go to Southampton if Ryan Bertrand was still there, because I rate Ryan quite highly. And now I know that (Bertrand is) stalling on his contract, it really does make sense.

“That’d be a great place and a great platform for him to push on from what he’s already achieved at Manchester United.”

Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images

Bertrand is in the final year of his contract at Southampton, and his situation mirrors that of Cedric Soares last season.

Soares ultimately joined Arsenal on a six-month loan deal in January before turning his move permanent in the summer, as the Saints did with Kyle Walker-Peters, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur – albeit at a reported cost of £12 million.