---
title: "Southampton: Saints plotting a move for QPR’s Ryan Manning"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-saints-plotting-a-move-for-qprs-ryan-manning/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Callum Pragnell"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2019-10-12T07:25:25Z"
modified: "2019-10-12T07:25:25Z"
---

# Southampton: Saints plotting a move for QPR’s Ryan Manning

**Southampton are reportedly eyeing a move for QPR’s converted left-back Ryan Manning, according to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-southampton-plot-january-swoop-for-qpr-star-out-of-contract-next-year/).**

The former Republic of Ireland U21 international is currently enjoying a fantastic season after being converted from a midfielder to full-back by Hoops manager Mark Warburton, so much so that he is beginning to attract interest from Premier League suitors.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Southampton are thought to be keen on the 23-year-old, and could line up a January move for him when the transfer window re-opens in four months’ time (per [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-southampton-plot-january-swoop-for-qpr-star-out-of-contract-next-year/)).

Manning’s contract at Loftus Road [expires next summer](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-southampton-plot-january-swoop-for-qpr-star-out-of-contract-next-year/), meaning any club’s wishing to prize him away from west London could get him for a cut-price. QPR do have the [option to extend his current deal](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-southampton-plot-january-swoop-for-qpr-star-out-of-contract-next-year/), however.

The young defender has made [12 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ryan-manning/profil/spieler/262300) in all competitions for Rangers this term – featuring for the full 90 in each of those matches – and has massively impressed, [t](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-southampton-plot-january-swoop-for-qpr-star-out-of-contract-next-year/)opping the club’s charts (per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/171/Show/England-Queens-Park-Rangers)) when it comes to tackles made per game (2.3). To put that into context, [only two Saints players](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/18/Show/England-Southampton) make more in the shape of Oriol Romeu and Cedric Soares, and Manning makes far more crosses a game ([2.6](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/332402/Show/Ryan-Manning)) than anyone on the south coast right now.

Having initially joined QPR in 2015 from Irish side Galway United, Manning has gone onto make [63 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ryan-manning/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/262300) for the club.

He spent the first half of last term on loan with Rotherham United but has been given a new lease of life since being converted to a left-back under Mark Warburton.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Southampton are thin on the ground in the left-back area after the departure of [Matt Targett](https://www.premierleague.com/news/1260792) to Aston Villa in the summer.

The Saints’ only fit out-and-out left-back is Ryan Bertrand after backup Sam McQueen [ruptured his ACL](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sam-mcqueen/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/226968/plus/0?saison=2018&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) whilst on loan with Middlesbrough last season.

Acquiring a player of Manning’s quality and versatility would massively help Southampton given his current stats in the second-tier and give manager Ralph Hasenhuttl more license for rotation amid some defensive problems this season.

\[freshpress-poll id=”252517″\]

***Saints fans, would you like to see Manning at St Mary’s? Let us know by joining the discussion below!***