WEST Ham’s Ryan Fredericks could reportedly make a free transfer to Saints this summer - and Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted they may search for a right-back.
The St Mary’s side are set to be without 19-year-old Tino Livramento for the rest of 2022 after he picked up an ACL injury at Brighton last month.
The youngster’s surgery went well but it will still be a long road to recovery, leaving Kyle Walker-Peters and Romain Perraud as Hasenhuttl’s only recognised full-backs.
And with the Frenchman ruled out of the last two matches of the 2021-22 Premier League season, Hasenhuttl had to play Mohammed Salisu on the left of his defence.
Walker-Peters had been deputising as a left-back throughout the season with considerable success, but Livramento’s absence means he is now needed there.
Fredericks, 29, is out of contract at the London Stadium this summer, will be released and is set to make a free transfer to another club.
The Telegraph report that Saints are interested in making a move for the pacey former Fulham man happen.
Asked in April if Saints will look to utilise the market to replace Livramento during his recovery, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “This is definitely something we have to think about, yes, definitely.
“When he is that long out, we need to find the right decision for the summer and it can end up that we have to take one, yes.”
Fredericks arrived at the Hammers on a free deal in 2018, but has failed to make a big impact in 77 appearances for the club.
The former England youth international played just seven times in the Premier League this season, but did make five appearances in their run to the Europa League semi-final.
Reports elsewhere have linked Fredericks with a return to Craven Cottage, where he helped get the side promoted from the Championship in 2017-18.
The Daily Echo understands sources expect Saints to be 'very busy' this summer, with one adding they are looking for players in 'pretty much every position'.
#SaintsFC fans needed to see that this season’s collapse wouldn’t be tolerated by the new ownership.
— Benjy Nurick (@BenjyNurick) May 27, 2022
Action was needed.
Time will tell if it’s the right action but a first step had to occur. It can’t be the last. What this week’s shake-up can tell us…👇https://t.co/NxLLnMK9XN
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