Transfer News: Manchester City and Liverpool eye summer move for Ryan Bertrand

Manchester City and Liverpool are reportedly considering a summer move for former Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand, who currently plies his trade for Southampton.

ESPN are claiming that Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand is being scouted by the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool. The former Chelsea full-back has been impressive since his move to St. Mary’s and has been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and even a potential return to Stamford Bridge.

Ryan Bertrand arrived at Chelsea from Gillingham in 2005 as a 15-year-old but was perennially sent on loan to various English clubs. However, he was able to rack in 57 senior appearances for Chelsea before moving to St. Mary’s on a permanent basis in 2015.

And the player has since grown leaps and bounds, with Bertrand also establishing himself in the senior setup for the Three Lions as well as Southampton. The 27-year-old has really come to the fore as one of the more commanding full-backs plying their trade in the Premier League.

This season, the player has featured in 26 Premier League matches so far, with a return of 2 goals and 5 assists – numbers which depict the attacking prowess of the full-back, a feature which would bode well to the teams that are tailing the Englishman.

Manchester City’s need to freshen up the wide defensive area is not aloof to anyone, with Pep Guardiola rumoured to be eyeing a move for Tottenham’s superstar duo of Danny Rose and Kyle Walker. However, Ryan Bertrand would prove to be a more realistic option to pursue in the summer.

Manchester City and Liverpool are considering a move for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand. (ESPN)

— Transfer Centre (@CentreTransfer) May 13, 2017

Ryan Bertrand will leave Southampton at the end of the season, Liverpool are interested. [John Cross, Mirror.] pic.twitter.com/23t0U9lxow

— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) May 4, 2017

Liverpool, on the other hand, has been linked with a move to Bertrand in the recent past and it is no surprise that Klopp would retain interest in the 27-year-old, especially with his side’s need to add players in the left-back position, which has been donned by James Milner.

And even though the veteran has done a commendable job to date, there is a need for a better option at the aforementioned position. Bertrand, too would love to be the next Southampton player to join Liverpool, a team which has familiar faces in abundance.

The player is also being lined up by Chelsea as a potential competition or replacement for Marcos Alonso, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

While the prospect of returning to Chelsea could appeal to the 27-year-old, he is unlikely to agree to play second fiddle to someone especially with the 2018 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. The same can hand Manchester City and Liverpool an advantage over Chelsea in the pursuit of Bertrand.

Southampton will make it hard by placing a hefty price tag on the player. However, if either or both of Manchester City and Liverpool do want the player, they are unlikely to be fazed by the asking price and we could be set to see Bertrand be the next Saint to move to another Premier League club.