Southampton are weighing up a summer move for Brandon Williams after missing out on the Manchester United defender in the January transfer window, as reported by The Sun.
With the Saints looking to bring in cover on both flanks, who better than a man who, despite honing his talents as a right-back at Carrington, has made the vast majority of first-team appearances on the left?
The two-footed Williams would certainly kill two birds with one stone for Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
And, with The Sun claiming a potential summer switch would be a short-term loan rather than a permanent deal, that would also allow Southampton to save funds for a new centre-forward.
The Athletic reports that while the South Coast club are determined to bring in defensive cover, they also want an exciting number nine – preferably one below the age of 23.
Interestingly, Hasenhuttl tried and failed to sign Williams in January after Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to retain the services of the tough-tackling 20-year-old.
But, with Williams making just four first-team appearances in the past three months, it would be a surprise to see United stand in his way again if Southampton came calling for a second time.
Clearly, the England U21 international would benefit from regular first-team football away from Old Trafford. It didn’t do Jesse Lingard any harm after all.
Southampton are also looking at Brentford’s buccaneering left-back Rico Henry as a potential replacement for the out-of-contract Ryan Bertrand.
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