Everton have long been in the race for Ryan Bertrand’s signature and the 28-year-old could be up for sale if Southampton fail to survive relegation in the coming weeks. Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are all eyeing up a move in the summer window and that could potentially raise the fullback’s £25m asking price to an obscene amount.
With just 3 games left in the regular season, Mark Hughes still has a chance of leading the team out of the relegation scraps after last weekend’s 2-1 win over AFC Bournemouth. Southampton have managed to 4 points out of their last 2 fixtures and are just a point away from the safety zone.
However, if the unthinkable does end up happening, there needs to be a plan in place to carry out the player transfers without much drama. Most of the high-profile names might feel unsettled at a club who are competing at the second division.
Bertrand is certainly on that list, having spent all his playing career in England’s top-flight and holding the cemented starting spot for the national team.
Gareth Southgate has fielded the 28-year-old in almost every single one of the international games going into the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Bertrand’s name is expected to be called up too in Russia with Manchester United’s Ashley Young holding the backup spot.
Everton are in the market for a fullback ever since Leighton Baines’ major injury concerns earlier in the season. Baines is 33 and the loss of his athletic abilities are starting to show in the league matches. Keeping up with the Premier League wingers is already proving to be a burden for the Englishman, especially when he is picking up recurring injuries on the trot.
Rhu-Endly Cuco Martina has filled up his spot on the left but does not possess that same vigour due to a lack of dominant left foot.
Bertrand is established in Europe and already has a Champions League medal in his trophy cabinet. He is a graduate of the Chelsea academy and had earlier helped the Blues to the prestigious European trophy in the 2011/12 season by beating Bayern Munich in the final. Ironically that very match was his debut in the continental stage.
Unfortunately, even the final appearance could not cement his place in the Chelsea starting XI under Rafael Benitez. Ashley Cole was far too good at the time and Benitez had to find an escape to the St Mary’s.
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And ever since then, he has appeared in 144 games for the Hampshire based club and is a regular starter. He could be a major part of Everton’s rebuilding strategy and will definitely solidify their vulnerable backline.
