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Manchester City end interest in Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand

By Ethan Evans

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 25: Ryan Bertrand of England speaks to the media during the England press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 25, 2017 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 25: Ryan Bertrand of England speaks to the media during the England press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 25, 2017 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Recent news has suggested that Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have ended their interest in Southampton star Ryan Bertrand.

This has come after a recent Daily Mail report stating that the Manchester club are now looking elsewhere. With the likes of Real Madrid full-back Danilo subsequently close to a move to the Etihad.

The Citizens also seem to be close to concluding a lucrative deal for French and Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy for £44.5 million. Meaning that Bertrand seems to be very much in the rear-view mirror for Guardiola and his transfer plans.

The Saints man seemed to be a high priority target for the Spanish manager, along with now-City player Kyle Walker who completed a record £50 million deal from Spurs. However, it seems that after Les Reed assured no major departures, clubs seemed to have resigned any interest.

Next: Southampton target joins Roma

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton acknowledges the supporters during a lap of appreciation after the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary’s Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton acknowledges the supporters during a lap of appreciation after the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary’s Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /

This is definitely a major breakthrough for Saints who continue to show their strength in keeping key players this Summer. Another example of this is the stance regarding the current situation with skipper Virgil van Dijk.

Southampton seem to be turning a corner and it appears that they are trying their utmost to diminish the ‘selling club’ stigma. With significant events such as the Liverpool apology and the Les Reed interview exemplifying the reserve of the Southampton hierarchy. Saints also signed up key player

Fraser Forster to a 5-year deal

on Wednesday.

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What if he was to go?

As stated before, Ryan Bertrand definitely has many suitors with Liverpool linked with his signature earlier this year. Manchester City isn’t the end of the road with Bertrand speculation, and not at all is he 100% staying at Saints.

Especially after numerous impressive seasons on the south coast, it is still going to be incredibly difficult to keep him despite this change of attitude by the club.

And if he does go, its not the end of the world. Southampton have replaced better for less and I have all the confidence in the world that we can deal with this. I would love him to stay, arguably better than when Luke Shaw was here. Especially now he is starting to become a full-fledged England international and household name.

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