Southampton: Three players Saints secretly wanted in the transfer window
By Marc Walker
Scott McTominay
After the departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Spurs, Saints clearly saw a potential opportunity to bring in Scotland international McTominay on loan from Manchester United.
Via the Athletic, we learn that Ralph Hasenhuttl is a great admirer of midfielder and presumably sees him as an ideal fit into his pressing system.
Saints were waiting to see if United would sign Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich as they thought that would see McTominay available for a loan move, but that quickly evaporated when Thiago chose to sign for Liverpool.
Another United fringe player who was pursued was full-back Brandon Williams, with Saints wanting him for cover at right and left-back.
The player was said to be keen to join but the Red Devils wanted more assurances on how many games their academy graduate would get during the 2020/21 season.