Charles Watts has given his views on reported Arsenal target Ryan Bertrand following an update on his future.
It was announced last week that the 31-year-old will leave Southampton at the end of the season following the expiration of his contract at St Mary’s, and Arsenal are reportedly one of the teams, along with Manchester City, that have shown an interest in signing him this summer.
The Gunners see him as a backup option to Kieran Tierney, and speaking on his show, Watts spoke very highly of the England international, and claimed there are a number of reasons why the Gunners need to make a move for him this summer:
(10:56) “I think he ticks all the boxes for me. I’ve seen people say ‘oh he’s not good enough blah blah blah’. What do you want really as cover for Kieran Tierney? You know Tierney when he’s fit is going to be playing, so it’s gonna be very hard to attract a real top-quality, certainly young, left-back in when you know you’re going to be second-choice.
(11:35) “I think Ryan Bertrand, he’s experienced, he’s fit, I mean, he played very well against Arsenal this season when I saw him. He wants to come back to London, he knows the area, knows the Premier League. And for me, I just think he ticks all the boxes.
“This one would be a free transfer. You don’t have to spend too much money on it. I mean, if he’s asking for stupid wages, then by all means, say ‘no, thank you, bye bye’ and go and look anywhere else.
“But for me, I think if the wages that he’s asking are acceptable, free transfer, I think you bite your hand off to get that one done.
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TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments about Arsenal signing Ryan Bertrand
Whilst Watts may be right in that Bertrand could be good for Arsenal, for all the reasons that he laid out, it may not necessarily be the case that Arsenal are good for Bertrand, especially if Manchester City are out there as a possible option.
Whilst Tierney has certainly had his problems with injuries, the same opportunities to play games might not be there for him with the club highly likely to be out of Europe next season, where he could have played some games in the group stage.
Contrast that to Manchester City where he could be used in Champions League games, so it might take something extra special to convince him to pick a move to the Emirates over a move to the Etihad.
In other news: Insider suggests potential shock return for ‘top quality player’ at Arsenal