Premier League club reportedly pursuing loan with option-to-buy deal for Liverpool man

Southampton are reportedly keen on a summer deal to sign Liverpool right-back Neco Williams as they look to bolster their fullback options.

According to The Athletic, Southampton are hoping to sign Williams on loan with an option to make it permanent at the end of the season.

The report says Southampton are impressed by the versatility Williams has shown at Liverpool, whilst it does not state how open to a deal the Reds are.

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ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT 

Liverpool should be trying to negotiate a more beneficial deal than a loan with an option-to-buy for Willaims. The teenager has shown signs of promise and selling him at this time does not seem like the best course of action for the Reds, but a simple loan could be. If Southampton are willing to take Williams on loan without a guarantee of being able to sign him permanently then that could work for Liverpool.

The Reds could then see how he copes with regular Premier League football and make a more informed decision over his future. If they do not see enough from him to prove that he is good enough to play for Liverpool then they could allow Southampton to sign him permanently. However, Williams could go to St. Mary’s and really catch the eye with a string of superb performances, which could then persuade Jurgen Klopp to give him more minutes at Anfield the following season.

This means that Liverpool could either benefit through a sale to raise funds for signings of their own, or get a young player back who has improved and gained valuable experience at the top level. So, hopefully, Southampton – or another club – are willing to take Williams on loan for the season without an option to make it permanent.