Arsenal intensify Ryan Bertrand summer transfer

Why Ryan Bertrand Arsenal Transfer Could Work

By the time Bertrand joins Arsenal (or whichever club wins the race) and the season kicks off he will be 32. Retirement FC as this club is being more regularly referred to seems to hell-bent on retaining that tag.

With Man City snooping around there is likely to be a kind wage boost for Bertrand, who currently earns in the region of £70k-per-week, while the length of contract on offer remains to be seen. If it’s a three-year deal, he will be at Arsenal until he’s 35. Quick maths. His ability is already, understandably, deteriorating and there is no reason that won’t continue if he’s playing even less football.

However, inject some realism into the conversation and while the wholesale changes at Arsenal are afoot, not every position can be amended with immediate effect. The likely lack of European football next season and significant financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic have put a severe dent in the club’s already weakened finances, even if the murmurs are that KSE will inject some capital.

Kieran Tierney won’t be usurped by anyone coming in, and locating someone who is familiar with the division, doesn’t need to move house, will be happy playing fleetingly this season, helps meet the homegrown requirement and will cost no upfront fee will have Edu’s eyes lighting up.

How much he will be paid and how long for is important, too. If his salary remains largely untouched and it’s a two-year deal on offer, some supporters will warm more to the idea.

Crucially, as well, if there is an indication that a long-term plan is afoot then that will also help win the uneasy contingent over. Links to Josh Doig and Lee Buchanan remain and these are two exciting young left-backs who are the profile the club are seeking to then mould into future squad members.

Finance is tight but if good deals can be negotiated for likes of Doig or Buchanan, those which could be reduced by offering to loan said players back to their current clubs for a season or two, the signs that Arsenal are showing some modicum of competent transfer strategy will offer reassurance.

Without tempting fate, it does look like Arsenal will get this one over the line. They now need to show this isn’t just plain three-year corner cutting.