Southampton could be set to focus their January transfer intentions on adding to their options in the full-back positions, with Manchester United’s promising defender Brandon Williams believed to be on their radar.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have got off to a strong start to the season, with the Saints having gone seven matches unbeaten prior to their 3-2 defeat against Manchester United at St Mary’s on Sunday. That leaves them sitting comfortably in sixth place in the table; and when also taking into account their form at the end of last season, that’s where they would finish over the last 38 games.
The Saints are unlikely to be heavily active in the forthcoming January transfer window, with Hasenhuttl claiming he does not have to make any major moves in the winter window to maintain their momentum, per Hampshire Live. However, that situation might well change were they to suffer many more injuries like the one incurred by Danny Ings.
It is thought that Southampton could be targeting extra cover and competition for places in the full-back positions, with the Saints only having inexperienced backup to Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Bertrand, per Hampshire Live. Manchester United’s Williams was a reported target in the summer and it is believed he could be on their radar again in the January window.
Read Southampton verdict
There is no need for Southampton to make wholesale changes to their squad during the January transfer window, barring any significant injury issues. The Saints have built a solid squad with cover in the majority of positions and good competition for places which has helped to drive them on to a strong start to the campaign.
However, Southampton have been reliant on both Bertrand and Walker-Peters in the full-back positions so far this term. The Saints have both Jake Vokins and Yan Valery as backup options, but Hasenhuttl chose to play Jack Stephens out of position at left-back in Bertrand’s absence against Newcastle.
That indicates a possible need for greater full-back depth, and Williams needs to get game-time under his belt again after being frozen out of the first team picture at Old Trafford so far this season, having made 17 Premier League appearances last term (Sofascore). He has the ability to cover both full-back roles, so he could be an ideal short-term addition.
