Brandon Williams
According to the Athletic’s Dan Sheldon, Saints remain interested in signing Williams after failing to get him in the last two transfer windows. The report suggests that a loan with an option to buy will be the deal Saints attempt to get.
A loan move is more likely than a permanent one given that Manchester United will rate their academy product highly at this stage, but he provides an option for both full-back positions given that he is a right-footed left-back.
Saints were blocked from bringing him in last January with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting all his options available to cover injury and illness across all competitions. Since then though, Williams has made just three starts and may be looking for more regular game time in 2021/22.
The 20-year-old is very much in the age bracket that Saints look for in each transfer window. He has had a rich introduction to football having come through at one of the biggest clubs in the world but is still very raw and has potential because of that.
Being able to get someone like Williams through the door – links have also been made to Liverpool’s Neco Williams – will relieve some strain on Saints’ recruitment this summer.
They currently have Kyle Walker-Peters as a first-choice right-back but Ralph Hasenhuttl seems not to rate Yan Valery as a backup. Brandon Williams would provide cover for Walker-Peters at right-back whilst also competing with another senior signing or Jake Vokins at left-back.