Southampton: Saints attacker close to joining MLS club on-loan deal

Southampton are said to be close to loaning out winger Josh Sims to MLS side New York Red Bulls.

According to Football Insider, the 22-year-old could make the move before Thursday’s transfer deadline and will join on a season-long loan deal.

Whilst Sims’ impact at the end of the 2018/19 campaign was good and saw him work his way into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans, the current squad at the Austrian’s disposal could mean a temporary move away could benefit him.

However, Saints will be hoping that this potential loan deal is more fruitful for their man than his spell with Reading in the first half of last season.

He made just five starts whilst at the Madejski stadium and returned to St Mary’s in January when Hasenhuttl was appointed as the new Saints boss.

Competition in the attacking positions looks fierce as the club look to prepare towards a more successful 2019/20 campaign.

Moussa Djenepo was brought in from Standard Liege for around £14m, whilst previous outcast Sofiane Boufal has returned to the fold to provide some added skill and trickery.

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Nathan Redmond looks to be a key man on the wing or in attacking-midfield again this year after enjoying a superb second half to last season, meaning Sims would be stuck with little first-team action should he stay on the South Coast.

The Saints academy graduate does provide something different though and that will be being weighed up by Ralph Hasenhuttl as he decides where Sims’ immediate future lies.

His direct running and pace was particularly effective in important Saints wins over Wolves and Spurs last season and teams didn’t quite know how to deal with him.

Making this impact in the highly-competitive Premier League though could mean a bright and fruitful spell for Sims in the MLS.

He could enjoy plenty of first-team minutes and use his best attributes to great effect in a more open type of football in the States; meaning he has an ideal chance to prove his future worth to Saints.