Arsenal linked with Ryan Bertrand, a player Ashley Cole said ‘deserves to be at a big club’

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Arsenal are reportedly battling numerous European sides to sign Southampton star Ryan Bertrand this summer with the left-back said to have rejected a new deal on the south coast – and Ashley Cole’s comments from 2013 could be about to ring true.

Bertrand, 31, has starred for Southampton over the past seven years – clocking up a whopping 240 appearances in all competitions. But the 19-time England international is about to see his Saints contract expire this summer, by choice.

Indeed, Goal claim that Arsenal and Manchester City have both made contact to sign the left-back – just months after the Gunners tried to sign him in January. AC Milan and AS Monaco are also said to have been in talks for the left-back.

It comes after Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that he had rejected an offer to sign a new deal at Southampton. Back in 2013, Champions League winner Bertrand was Cole’s understudy at Chelsea and Cole claimed he deserved to be at a big club.

“He deserves to be at a big club, he has improved a lot in the few years I’ve seen him and this year and next year is a chance for him to start more games,” Cole told the Evening Standard in 2013 – just a year before Bertrand left to join Southampton.

TBR’s view – Is Bertrand good enough for Arsenal?

Without a doubt, but he won’t start. Kieran Tierney has been in stunning form for Arsenal this season and Bertrand would act as his cover and without European football, Bertrand would have little opportunity for game time.

Arsenal do need cover at left-back. With Sead Kolasinac at Schalke, Tierney recently injured and Cedric Soares right-footed, both Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka have been used at left-back. Cover is needed and Bertrand would be ideal, if he is keen.