Arsenal intensify Ryan Bertrand summer transfer

The hunt for a new left-back at Arsenal is intensifying as Mikel Arteta closes in on an agreement to sign Ryan Bertrand on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.

Kieran Tierney could have done with the cover six months earlier. Arsenal could have done with the cover six months earlier.

Pinpointing where the Gunners’ campaign unraveled can’t be pinned on any one reason. From bluntness in attack to sluggishness building out from the back and inconsistencies across the board, the side’s failings this season came down to a collection of faults with the manager far from infallible.

Not signing a left-back in the winter window was a contributing factor, no more noticeable than in the Europa League, and bolstering that area has been high up on the list of priorities heading into the season’s close.

Arsenal intensify Ryan Bertrand summer transfer as Manchester City push for Southampton left-back

Ryan Bertrand was someone the club tried to sign in January only for their bid to be knocked back, and returning once more for the 31-year-old, the Daily Mail now report that they’ve stepped up their pursuit, one they are largely expected to succeed in.

Heading into the twilight of his career, one last ‘big’ move for the defender is on the cards, and with Bertrand still living in London and not basing his search on a final European swansong, Arsenal are in a strong position.

Manchester City are also keen as they hold reservations over Benjamin Mendy’s longer term impact, which shows that despite a sub-par season by Bertrand’s standards, his experience is held in high regard. That and he won’t be pining for regular first team football and suits the homegrown quota.

With Arsenal seeking to remodel the outlook of their squad, signing someone of Bertrand’s age has caused a split in the fanbase.

Seeing players such a Willian handed lengthy big-money deals with no long-term contribution to the club is the level of short-termism that supporters have yearned for Arsenal to evolve away from. Bringing in Bertrand would plug a gap, but as part of a rebuild, whichever younger signing who could challenge for a starting berth after a few years of development will just be pushed back.

Equally, someone with Premier League experience, who is English and is content playing second fiddle allows other areas of the pitch to be focussed on.

Could it work?

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.