Saints hoping to capture Ryan Bertrand on a permanent deal.
Southampton are planning to make their loan move for Chelsea left back Ryan Bertrand a permanent one in 2015, report the Mirror, despite the fact that the Stamford Bridge club have just tied down England youth international full back Matt Targett to a new five year contract after he has shown huge potential in his handful of senior appearances for the club.
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Bertrand joined the Saints on loan this summer with his Chelsea career appearing to be dead after he was also sent out on loan last season, spending a brief and not particularly successful spell at Aston Villa, but Bertrand has rebuilt his reputation on the South Coast and been a crucial part of Ronald Koeman’s side’s fine start to the campaign.
The former Gillingham youngster’s finest moment in a Chelsea shirt undoubtedly came when injuries and suspensions led to him playing in Chelsea’s victorious Champions League final against Bayern Munich, with Bertrand putting in a creditable performance at left back.
Despite arriving as one of numerous Southampton signings this summer and to little fanfare, he has proven to be one of the most impressive buys of the summer and it should be no surprise that the Saints are now keen to make his move permanent, with Koeman apparently keen for Bertrand to compete with Targett for the left back role.