SuperSAINT

I didn’t necessarily believe the links to us, but Jacob Murphy signs a new deal at Newcastle.

At the risk of inviting I wish we were Palace bantz, I've only just got over them signing Eze (Who I really wanted us to sign). Olise def great value at £8m.

They've certainly got the space in their squad for him.

@Matthew Le God

* Read the much better summary above. Great job, @The Curse of St Mary's

@Over land and sea 👀

Very true. I don’t see how we can afford the players we need without selling 1 or 2, though.

Top scouting, as usual, mon amie.

Southampton are confident they can finalise a deal to sign Manchester United’s Brandon Williams on a season-long loan. The two clubs have held talks, and with the full-back eager to get regular game time, good progress has been made. However, a loan fee, which United will insist upon, is yet to be agreed upon. The St Mary’s side have tried in the past two transfer windows to add the player to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad but failed on both attempts. Williams was keen to join Southampton on loan last summer, asking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to give the deal the green light on deadline day after the arrival of Alex Telles, but the Norwegian wanted to keep the 20-year-old in his squad for depth. However, the talented youngster managed only 14 senior appearances throughout the campaign despite United reaching the FA Cup quarter-final, Carabao Cup semi-final and the Europa League final. Southampton went back in for Williams in January, only to have their advances turned down a second time by the Old Trafford hierarchy. But they are now closing in on their long-standing target, with United willing to grant the player’s wish for consistent Premier League football at the third time of asking. Williams is a boyhood United fan, having joined the club aged seven, but is ready to move on, at least temporarily, to continue his development at this crucial age. The Athletic understands the defender has been assured Hasenhuttl is ready to grant him much greater playing time than he was afforded at United last season, while complimentary reports on the Austrian’s management have made their way to Williams. There are still details to sort, including salary contributions. Southampton would be expected to take on the entirety of the defender’s wages, just as they did when they signed Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino in January. One stumbling block could yet be the fee. Should United demand a major payment from Southampton, the move might fall through. Ed Woodward insisted on a £1.5 million fee for Jesse Lingard’s six-month loan to West Ham United, delaying the completion of the switch until late in the January window, and it remains to be seen where the executive vice-chairman pitches Williams. Woodward and head of negotiations Matt Judge will weigh up the benefit Southampton would be getting against the possibility of Williams emerging from the experience as a better prospect for featuring in Solskjaer’s team, or his transfer value increasing. It is regarded as unlikely there would be an option to buy included in the contract. But sources are encouraged a move will be completed sooner rather than later, with Southampton hoping to have Williams in for pre-season at the earliest moment. Williams was among the United players at Carrington on Monday for the first session back after the summer break. Doubts had been raised about how much game time Williams would be afforded if he moved to Southampton, especially as Romain Perraud has just arrived from Stade Brest. But Hasenhuttl wants to give Williams the opportunity to make either the left-back or right-back spot his own. Southampton had been targeting two full-backs this summer, and signing Perraud hasn’t altered their view on that. Although the Frenchman has replaced Ryan Bertrand, there is an acceptance that the defensive unit still needs strengthening. As it stands, Hasenhuttl only has Kyle Walker-Peters and Perraud as full-back options, with Jake Vokins having joined Ross County on loan and Yan Valery not in the first-team picture. Williams became an important player for United at a time of need during the 2019-20 season, with Luke Shaw suffering injury and a dip in form. He made 36 appearances in all competitions, scored a superb volley at Sheffield United and hugely impressed Solskjaer with his determination and fearlessness. Williams was rewarded with a new contract worth £65,000 per week that runs to 2024, with the option of a further year, and he made his England Under-21s debut. He was in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts for his England squad last September but injury ruled him out. Shaw’s resurgence, the signing of Telles, and Solskjaer’s commitment to Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the opposite flank have limited Williams’ involvement since but his reputation in the game remains and several clubs have enquired about his signature this summer. John Murtough, United’s new football director, has also scanned the market for places to put Williams, an acknowledgement by the club that after a season on the sidelines they needed to assist his desire for regular football.

That, as a complete package, actually eclipses his golden Charlie Austin moment.

Would have thought Japhet Tanganga would be most likely for a P/X.

Interesting to see how this plays out. Spurs certainly liked him before (unsure if that was just Jose) & seem to be going for Takehiro Tomiyasu at Bologna. They've also been heavily linked with Joachim Andersen. Doubt they'll sign 3.

We wanted £35m for hojbjerg. £20m would do it, IMO.

I always wondered whether the talk of signing Guehi at Chelsea was 'Plan A' if we lose Vestergaard?

I fully expect him to go, but interested to see if he's back at training today? Wasn't he told to find another club this (relative) time last year & therefore wasn't ever back at the club?

Yeah. Our situation comes down to maths. We have to sell at least 1 of Ings/Vesty. We don't have the cash to improve the squad otherwise.

BBC Sport understands the former Liverpool and Burnley player accepts he might need to wait until his contract expires.

I’m not sure it’s really anything new. Pretty much where it’s been for a while.