Southampton are working hard to tie Arsenal target Ryan Bertrand down to a new contract with his current deal expiring in the summer, Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl told Hampshire Live.
If the South Coast club want to convince their prized assets to stay for the long haul, they really could have done without a stunning slide down the Premier League table – one that has Southampton fans glancing nervously at the relegation zone.
A 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City means Hasenhuttl’s downtrodden side have lost nine of their last 11 games.
Remarkably, it is only four months since Southampton were top of the table.
And Goal reports that two of the club’s most influential players – Bertrand and Danny Ings – are now considering their futures at St Mary’s.
Both want to challenge for honours at the top end of the table and, while Arsenal are not quite the force they once were, Mikel Arteta’s improving side would feel like something of a step up the ladder for Bertrand.
The Standard reports that the England international left-back is a summer target for the Gunners, who are keen to provide competition for Kieran Tierney on the flank.
And, unless something changes fast, Bertrand will be free to leave when his contract expires in July.
“We are in negotiations with him,” Hasenhuttl said in his Friday press conference. “(These talks) will continue until the end of the season.
“We should look to stay in the league first, this is the main aim.
“We are still trying to extend all the contracts. You can be sure negotiations are still going on.”
The Mirror (14 February, page 72) reports that Southampton have lined up Barnsley’s breakthrough star Callum Styles as a potential replacement for 31-year-old Bertrand.
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