This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to Football Insider, Premier League side Southampton are eyeing up a January move for QPR left-back Ryan Manning.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Saints are believed to be monitoring the Irishman ahead of a winter move for the full-back, who has been in excellent form for the R's this term.

Manning, 23, has played every minute of the campaign in both the Championship and the Carabao Cup, a stat that suggests he's a big favourite of Mark Warburton.

The 5 foot 11 defender has amassed three assists - one below the league's highest amount of set-ups, which is four - while he has also proven that he can operate in both of Warburton's systems.

May be a win-win for QPR

Significantly, Southampton are eyeing up Manning at a cut-price fee due to the fact that he is reportedly out of contract in the summer.

The R's have the option to extend his deal though, so interest from the top flight could be a win-win for the Londoners if they can trigger that extension and/or tie him down to a new contract.

If QPR can convince him to extend his stay, at least on paper, then they'll be winning either way for the following reasons.

The R's will then be more likely to be able to keep him for the next few years, which considering his importance to Warburton so far is clearly a big boost.

On the other hand, if Premier League interest continues to linger, then it will ensure that the QPR asset's value will be preserved and they will get more money for him than they would do if they sold him this winter, with just six months left before he becomes a free agent.