Arsenal hopeful of beating Man City in the race to sign Ryan Bertrand

Southampton announced earlier this week that the left-back will leave the club when his deal ends this year. 

Since transferring to the south coast in 2014, Bertrand has played in 244 games for the club. 

However, he will play his game elsewhere next season, with Arsenal showing an interest in the 19-year-old England international.

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners want to beat all potential parties to the punch by submitting a bid as soon as possible. 

Mikel Arteta is looking for a new left-back to provide competition and cover for Kieran Tierney. 

On the other hand,

Manchester City

has long been a fan of Bertrand and might give him a contract. 

Bertrand will add experience to the position of backup left-back, and

Benjamin Mendy

has been connected with the exit door. 

Arsenal are still the front-runners to sign the 31-year-old, but the

champions could beat them to it.

“After many months of hard decision making, I have decided to leave Southampton Football Club,” Bertrand wrote on social media. 

“This has only been decided in the last 48 hours and comments that I had not accepted an offer previously are not true. 

“I want to thank all the fans for welcoming me to this football club and supporting me endlessly. All the support staff behind the scenes, I thank you. 

“Also, special thanks to the Liebherr family. It is a shame I cannot experience a full crowd at St Mary’s one more time. 

“As this year has shown us, football is nothing without the fans. Arriving at Southampton seven years ago, I soon realized what a family-orientated club this is. A true peoples’ club!”

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