Liverpool can use Manchester City pursuit of Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy to move ahead in race to sign Ryan Bertrand from Southampton.
They have focused their attention on Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kyle Walker and Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy – both of whom are going to set City back £50m apiece.
Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
This comes after the Daily Mail reported that the Citizens were going to push ahead with a £25m move for Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand and while Mendy was also mentioned in the piece, it seems the England international has fallen down the pecking order of priorities.
Also, even if Pep Guardiola wants both left-backs would Bertrand be happy to act as backup to his French counterpart at the Etihad Stadium when he has become used to being a starter for the Saints?
That is why Liverpool may be able to sneak in ahead of their Premier League rivals and turn their interest in the 27-year-old – as reported by Goal – into something concrete.
The Reds are in need of a new player on the left side of defence, with manager Jurgen Klopp not considering Alberto Moreno good enough and telling the Spaniard he can leave this summer.
James Milner was played in the position for much of last season because of Klopp’s doubts about Moreno, but having a specialist like Bertrand in the role would be a huge bonus.
The Merseysiders also have a history of signing players from St Mary’s, although that relationship may have soured somewhat after they were forced to publicly apologise for their pursuit of Virgil van Dijk – reported the Telegraph.
Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand in action with Liverpool’s Adam Lallana
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