Blues target Brandon Williams travelled to Suffolk last night with the left-back’s loan move from Manchester United expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours.

We understand the 22-year-old stayed overnight in Ipswich and will continue talks and undergo a medical at Town today ahead of the completion of the season-long switch, which is understood to include an option to buy.

Confirmation of that deal will see Blues left-back Greg Leigh join Oxford United on a permanent basis with the League One U’s believed to be paying a small fee for the 28-year-old Jamaica international.

Williams, who will become the club's fifth senior signing of the summer, came through the academy at Old Trafford, where Blues boss Kieran McKenna worked with him, and has made 30 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, scoring one goal, including 13 Premier League starts, the most recent in 2020/21.

Last season, Williams made one senior appearance for United, as a late sub in a Carabao Cup victory over Burnley and he is yet to have any involvement this season.

Manchester-born Williams, who although right-footed prefers to play on the left, spent the 2012/22 season on loan at Norwich City during their Premier League relegation season, making 25 starts and four sub appearances.

The stint at Carrow Road ended unhappily when he was abused by a group of Canaries supporters who had waited for him outside the ground following his final game, a 4-0 home defeat by West Ham.

Williams subsequently posted posted a photo of his dog, apparently as a warning, and a middle finger gesture on social media before later removing the posts and issuing a more conciliatory statement.

The 5ft 7in tall defender, whose cousin is Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Zelfa Barrett, is contracted to United until next summer with the club having an option for a further season.

Saturday's opponents Leeds United were recently credited with interest in the full-back, who was spotted at Town’s opening fixture of the season at Sunderland.

Set-to-depart Leigh joined Town in the summer of 2022 after leaving Morecambe and has been an important and popular member of the squad, although with his league starts limited to only four due to the form of Leif Davis.

In addition to those four League One starts, Leigh has made 12 sub appearances and six cup starts, scoring one goal.

Photo: Sipa USA

ITFCOYB added 11:49 - Aug 24 It's a really interesting one. Presumably not being signed to share the role with Leif or be the 60 minute sub each week. Perhaps 4-4-1-1 with Leif & Wes either side of Mass and Morsy, and two from Chappers, Hirst and Broadhead in the 9 and 10 slots. Or perhaps a five at the back behind Mass and Morsy, with a dynamic three up top of Broadhead, Chaplin and Hirst. That would mean benching either Clarke, or, presumably, Burgess, with Clarke moving inside alongside Woolf and Williams. I think this latter option gives us the best 11 we can put out and the most opportunity to change systems in game to meet different situations on the pitch, but would we miss Cam's aerial ability? Is it too much to ask of Leif and Wes? All very exciting options and insight into KMc thinking. He's certainly a step or two ahead of us fans (thankfully!).

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Rimsy added 11:52 - Aug 24 Would the loan aspect have anything to do with FFP rules? Perhaps we have other irons in the fire and don't want to fall foul of the finance restrictions.
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churchmans added 11:54 - Aug 24 Jesus christ some people commenting guff already!!! 'He will be first choice'(how do you know?) 'He is already a cult hero'(why is he?) 'He has an attitude an ego'(again how do you know) 'He is on £1million per week'(how do you know) All of you are showing massive signs of pre cum! All you need to know is this! If KM want him in it is a good thing! No need to sound so eye rolling and cringworthy

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Radlett_blue added 12:07 - Aug 24 I don't know why people are getting misty eyed about Greg Leigh. He did fine in his limited opportunities at Town, but if we are truly ambitious, we need to keep improving our squad & this is part of that process. I'm sure Leigh will do well at Oxford & at 29 next month, he will want to be playing regularly.
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BobbyBell added 12:08 - Aug 24 KM knows this lad and would not bring him here if he had any doubts about his ability or his attitude. The Narridge fans are slagging him off big time which tells me that they are bitter and twisted that we have him. KM will get the best from him as he does with all our players. MA has said many a time that players must want to be here and work hard or we don't want them. I trust our club 100%.

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Pessimistic added 12:19 - Aug 24 I am disappointed. What did Greg Leigh do so badly wrong?
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dubblue added 12:22 - Aug 24 The news about Greg Leigh (and Kyle Edwards) shows the difficulty of balancing the need for a reasonable sized squad and keeping players happy with regular first team opportunities. Welcome on board Brandon Williams definitely adds to the quality of the squad!!
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DocMartyn added 12:46 - Aug 24 Brandon Williams and Chappers, giving hope to every 5'7" Town fan... :)
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Chris_Knights added 12:48 - Aug 24 Cannot really understand the negative comments on this one. Brandon Williams has played for Man Utd, he’s certainly young enough and good enough and in my opinion under McKenna will only get better. No risk strategy as he’s coming on loan. What’s not to like !! COYB
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SuffolkPunch70 added 13:31 - Aug 24 Pessimistic - he got old, like we all have, and his priorities changed. It's no slight on his abilities.
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gosblue added 13:34 - Aug 24 He’s in his town shirt on the club website. Get in.
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bluesince76 added 18:31 - Aug 24 Happy with this another couple of this caliber and we'll be looking good.
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