Southampton are continuing to keep a watchful eye over the situation of Manchester United defender Brandon Williams as the Saints hope to add to their full-back options before the end of the transfer window, according to Hampshire Live.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has been targeting a new full-back throughout the January transfer window and the Saints have consistently been linked with a loan move for Williams. However, reports had suggested that United were unwilling to allow the 20-year-old to make the switch to direct competitors at St Mary’s – although that might have changed with a larger points gap having opened up between the two sides.
The Saints’ need to add to their full-back options has been heightened by the latest injury setback suffered to Kyle Walker-Peters, which saw him ruled out of their game against Arsenal on Tuesday night. Ryan Bertrand was also suspended for the visit of the Gunners.
Speaking to the Daily Echo ahead of that meeting with Arsenal, Hasenhuttl had suggested that he remained hopeful the Saints could secure a loan addition to solve their full-back issues. He also hinted that it could be a ‘win-win situation’ for clubs to allow players to go out on loan when they are not featuring.
He said: “When you have no perspective anymore, not even part of the squad it’s also not good for the club to keep them because when they are not playing them, they are not getting better.
“They lose worth and in the end must be a win-win situation for everybody, the best thing to do and I’m still hopeful, yes.”
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Securing the signing of Williams could be a top priority for the Saints in the remaining days of the transfer window, as Hasenhuttl appears to be an admirer of the youngster’s potential.
Williams’ versatility of being able to play in both full-back positions would be invaluable for Southampton amid the injury issues they have faced and the lack of experienced cover they have in those positions. The defender has only made one Premier League appearance this season, as well as three in the Champions League, two in the League Cup and one against Watford in the FA Cup (Sofascore).
Williams needs to get more game-time under his belt and you could understand a few weeks ago when it looked like United could be rivals with the Saints for European places that they might have been hesitant about strengthening a rival club. However, they have since moved into the title race and opened up a gap on the Saints, so that could give a fresh chance for a loan move to the south coast for the 20-year-old.
