Report: Arsenal stepping up interest in Ryan Bertrand as Southampton contract talks break down

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Arsenal are stepping up their interest in Ryan Bertrand ahead of a potential move for the soon-to-be free agent in the summer transfer window.

According to Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella, talks over a new deal for the full-back, who has been labelled as ‘unnoticed‘, have collapsed with Southampton amid competition from a raft of European clubs.

Monaco, AC Milan, and the Emirates Stadium giants are all thought to be interested in the defender, who can join a new club on a free transfer at the end of this season.

Arsenal were in for the player in the January transfer window when they were searching for a backup left-back following the departure of Sead Kolasinac, who joined Schalke on loan. However, a move never materialised and the Reds were forced to play Granit Xhaka on the left-side of defence after Kieran Tierney’s injury problems.

TBR View: January must act as a warning to the club

January’s transfer window should act as a warning to the club after what was one of the most boneheaded moves during the tenure of Mikel Arteta.

Letting Kolasinac was a brilliant move especially given how much his career in N5 had stagnated, however, it’s nigh-on unforgivable the team failed to secure a replacement.

Prior to the Bosnian’s departure, it was well-noted that Tierney had suffered numerous injury issues both with Celtic and upon his arrival in north London.

With regards to Bertrand, his experiences both with Chelsea and Southampton speaks for itself and the ace would prove a worthy back-up to the Scotsman.

His mixture of attacking thrust and defensive nous coupled with his experience in the Premier League makes him a stand-out candidate. The fact Arsenal can sign him on a free proves to be the cherry on top of the cake as it means the outfit would save on any hefty transfer fee.