Representatives working on behalf of Ryan Bertrand have told Southampton that the Arsenal and Manchester City target will not be signing a new contract at St Mary’s, as reported by Hampshire Live.
While Danny Ings looks set to commit his future to the Saints following Tuesday’s two-goal showing against Crystal Palace, the situation with another out-of-contract England international looks very different.
Goal reported yesterday that Bertrand, after six years of loyal service, could be on his way to Arsenal.
The Gunners, who failed with a bid in January, are hoping to add another ex-Chelsea player to Mikel Arteta’s squad, with the 32-year-old left-back viewed at the Emirates as potential back-up option for the injury-hit Kieran Tierney.
Newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City have also allegedly made contact, as have Italian giants AC Milan.
And claims coming out of the South Coast appear to confirm the impending departure of one of Southampton’s longest-serving players.
Bertrand’s representatives have made it clear that his £70,000-a-week contract, which expires in July, will not be extended.
Negotiations between player and club look set to collapse with an ongoing injury problem, meaning Bertrand might have already played his last game in Southampton colours.
Arsenal supporters might not be particularly enamored by the prospect of a 30-something full-back arriving on a free transfer. Bertrand would hardly be a statement signing for a club at risk of descending into mid-table mediocrity and Cedric Soares, another former Southampton defender, hasn’t exactly set the world alight in north London.
On the other hand, Bertrand remains a high-quality left-back even if there is an argument to be made that his peak years are long gone.
The 19-capped England international would certainly represent an upgrade on Granit Xhaka, Cedric or Sead Kolasinac in what has become something of a problem position for Mikel Arteta.
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