According to recent reports, Ryan Bertrand could be set to leave Southampton this summer, with the 31-year-old yet to agree terms on a new deal with Saints.
Since joining Southampton from Chelsea in what was an £11.97 million deal back in 2015, Bertrand has gone on to make 238 appearances for the club, chipping in with eight goals and providing 20 assists along the way.
[freshpress-quiz id=”338761″]
However, with the 31-year-old’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, and, as yet, there being no agreement reached in ongoing talks between the left-back and Southampton regarding a new deal, the Evening Standard report that the England international’s six-year stay at St. Mary’s could be coming to an end.
The Standard go on to claim that both Leicester City and Arsenal are considering a move for the £70,000-per-week defender, with the Foxes thought to be long-term admirers of Bertrand, while the Gunners are looking for back up for their first-choice left-back, Kieran Tierney.
[freshpress-poll id=”352374″]
Transfer Tavern Take
Having made 28 Premier League appearances for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side so far this season, the possibility of losing Bertrand, particularly on a free transfer, may come as something of a blow to the South Coast outfit this summer.
However, with the left-back having averaged a rather disappointing WhoScored match rating of just 6.42 in the league this term – ranking him as the club’s 15th-best performer in the top flight – perhaps letting the 31-year-old to move on could be a smart move by Saints, allowing them to save a considerable amount of money on the left-back’s wages, which could then be used to secure a replacement with a substantially brighter future than Bertrand.
In other news: ‘I hope so’ – Southampton’s £21m summer target dropped a huge hint on a potential Premier League move – find out more here!
