Arsenal has missed out on the signature of Ryan Bertrand after the left-back agreed to join Leicester City.
Bertrand is leaving Southampton after seven years of service and over 200 appearances for the Saints.
Arsenal has a need for a new full-back as they rebuild their squad ahead of another important campaign for Mikel Arteta.
They allowed Sead Kolasinac to leave on loan to Schalke 04 in the last transfer window.
The Bosnian doesn’t have a future at the Emirates and his departure means only Kieran Tierney is the natural left-back at the club.
They expect to sign a new one when the transfer window reopens and they have been linked with a move for Bertrand, who started his career at London rivals, Chelsea.
They were facing serious competition from Leicester as Brendan Rodgers is a fan of the player he managed in the Chelsea youth team.
Football Insider reports that the Foxes have won the race for his signature and Arsenal will have to turn their attention to other transfer targets now.
The Gunners’ transfer budget remains unclear, but signing a top free agent like Bertrand would have been a great way to bring in quality without spending a dime.
Absolutely good news. Don’t want to see another old dead wood signing
Agreed, it’ds going to be tough signing a back up left back this summer. Not because of the media spins of “Arsenal fail in another transfer bid” to piss off and stoke up the gullible gooners out there. Simply because there is no root to regular first team football with Tierny one of the best left backs in Europe in the way.
Actually, he would have a been a fantastic signing!
Realistically, we cannot get a high quality LB as backup, who would be happy to sit on the bench for most of the season, especially with no European football.
If Tierney is out injured, I’d rather rely on an experienced player, who’s been playing in the EPL for years, than an inexperienced youngster, especially someone from abroad. Bertrand is a decent player as well. Massive upgrade on what we currently have as a LB backup in Kolasinac.
Shame we couldn’t get Bertrand, because we desperately need someone.
We didn’t miss on him, to sign such a player is a big loss. I know his quality, but he isn’t the best for us. That age??
He’d be another Cedric.
A very talented and experienced full-back made to look average because of Arteta’s tactics.
truly a blessing. take him leicester!