Norwich City are reportedly in advanced talks with Manchester United to secure the loan signing of young full-back Brandon Williams for the 2021/22 season.
According to a report from Sky Sports, Manchester United and Norwich City are locked in talks over a loan deal for 20-year-old defender Brandon Williams, with negotiations said to be in advanced stages.
Williams is a product of the Manchester United academy. The highly-rated full-back broke into the first-team during the 2019/20 season, featuring as a backup for Luke Shaw and made quite a solid impression. However, the last season was a bit of a dampener for the youngster as he struggled for game-time due to Alex Telles’ arrival.
Williams hardly featured for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side during the 2020/21 season, with his rare appearances mostly coming at right-back when Aaron Wan-Bissaka was in need of a rest. With Manchester United pressing to sign a new right-back this summer, the academy graduate could further struggle for minutes in the new season.
Even if the Red Devils do not bring in a new right-back, Diogo Dalot could still end up staying at Old Trafford after impressing in pre-season, which would mean Williams’ game-time will reduce either way. So, having previously been reluctant to let him go out on loan, Manchester United have decided to do so this time out.
While there has been past interest from the likes of Southampton and Newcastle United, it is Norwich City that have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Williams on loan for the rest of the 2021/22 campaign.
The Canaries, back in the Premier League after winning the EFL Championship last season, made a forgettable start to the season, losing 3-0 to Liverpool. Manager Daniel Farke remains keen on adding a new left-back to the squad to compete with new signing Dimitrios Giannoulis, although Jacob Lungi Sorensen is an option at his disposal.
Nevertheless, Williams is being pursued ardently by Norwich, with talks now reportedly reaching advanced stages with Manchester United. And while they are confident of the deal going through, the report does add that it is unlikely that a move will be finalised this week, meaning the 20-year-old is unlikely to be available for the Canaries’ Premier League clash against champions Manchester City.
Williams, in his short career at the senior level, has shown great promise. Playing under a manager like Farke on a regular basis could have a positive impact on his development. A move would, thus, be a win-win scenario for all parties involved.
