The Newcastle fans in the Transfer Tavern have been reacting to a story in The Sun linking them with Southampton and England left-back Ryan Bertrand. The 28-year-old former Chelsea man has been one of Southampton’s best players since he signed for the south coast club although if the club are relegated this season a number of big hitting Premier League clubs could be in for the player who commands a £25 million price tag.
Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton all interested in signing Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand. He's valued at £25M and is likely to be in the England squad. [Daily Mail] #NUFC
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) April 12, 2018
The experienced full-back who started for Chelsea in the 2012 Champions League final looks set to start for England in summer at the World Cup in Russia and would be a great addition to a number of clubs this summer if the Saints are to be relegated from the Premier League. Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton are all reportedly set to rival Rafa Benitez’ Newcastle for the defender’s signature. More options could be on the table for Bertrand if he impresses this summer on the left-hand side of England’s back line.
Newcastle United currently have Paul Dummett and Javier Manquillo contesting the left-back spot at St James Park, although if Bertrand was to join the Magpies he’d slot in as their left-sided full-back without too many issues. The defender has really come into his own over the last couple of years, amassing 19 caps for his country and scoring his first goal in a 4-0 away win against Malta last September.
You can read our local Geordies’ verdict on the Bertrand rumours here:
No thanks. Overpriced, under performing and not worth it. Prefer Dummet and get some other up and coming lad for the other full back spot
— PhilK (@PhilK54413) April 12, 2018
If Man U or Spurs interested I would probably look then at Shaw/Rose/Davies… They should then be on the move and probably better than Bertrand
— Jonny Weetman (@JonnyJMW90) April 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/Josh15762358/status/984400114788851712
As if we’d pay £25 million for a fullback – we refuse to pay anywhere near that amount for a striker!
— Toon Stew (@toonarmyblog) 12 April 2018
With the money talked about and the teams interested scratch him of the list
— Anderson (@k1ando2) April 12, 2018
Dummet > Bertrand, but I’d love for us to sign Cedric, he’s an improvement over Yedlin
— Ved (@vedranstankovic) April 12, 2018
Rafa and his love of left backs
— adam thompson (@histonadam85) April 12, 2018
