Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is coy over hopes of closing a deal for Manchester United fullback Brandon Williams.

Beyond the starters Kyle Walker-Peters and new signing Romain Perraud, Saints do not have the depth in wide defensive areas required and have looked to make an addition as cover, with Williams' versatility looking ideal.

When quizzed about the potential of bringing Williams in, Hasenhuttl told BBC Radio Solent: “At the moment on the transfer market, nobody has money.

“Everybody wants the most money for his players when they sell so it keeps everything on hold. Therefore, a lot of players are letting their contracts run out and leave without money.

“This money is what smaller clubs are missing, it's going out of football somewhere else, I don't know, in the pockets of agents or wherever. This situation is not good for no league in the world.

“You pay a lot of money for players and the extending of contracts gets thwarted not only in our situation but all around the world I see players knowing this, running out clubs for free and this also leads to then finding more money for clubs, they don't know where it comes.

The boss would not be drawn on the Williams speculation, however. He added: “It's interesting that you name this player, normally you don't. It was a nice try to be honest!"