Southampton: Three players Saints secretly wanted in the transfer window

By Marc Walker | Oct 10, 2020

Manchester United's Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay celebrates after he scores his team's first goal during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on September 30, 2020. (Photo by Matt Dunham / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MATT DUNHAM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

2 of 4

Manchester United’s Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay (Photo by MATT DUNHAM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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.

Home/Transfer Rumors