Arsenal joined by Leicester in Ryan Bertrand transfer race as Foxes draw up one-year deal for out-of-contract defender

LEICESTER CITY are attempting to beat Arsenal in the transfer chase for Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.

The left-back has confirmed he will be leaving St Mary’s once his contract expires on June 30 and a raft of clubs have reportedly shown interest.

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West Ham and Crystal Palace are said to be keeping tabs on the star.

And the Gunners have been long-term admirers with manager Mikel Arteta desperate to bring him to North London.

Now a fresh report states Arsenal’s hopes could be about to suffer a blow.

TalkSPORT claim that Leicester have drawn-up a one-year contract and are preparing to offer it to Bertrand.

He will be offered a deal to join the FA Cup winners over the coming days.

Leicester left-back Christian Fuchs also confirmed he is leaving the King Power next month when he becomes a free agent.

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers wants Bertrand as cover and to offer competition for James Justin and Luke Thomas.

However, this latest report states the ace ‘is waiting on the outcome of Leicester’s Champions League bid before making the final call’ on his next club.

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Rodgers, who worked with him during his time at Chelsea’s coaching staff, said last year: “Ryan’s a player I know very well. We took him into Chelsea at 16 and he’s had a brilliant career.”

Bertrand joined Southampton on loan from Chelsea in 2014 and completed a permanent move to St Mary’s a year later.

The England international has since made a whopping 240 appearances across all competitions for Saints but it has been confirmed he won’t be part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad next season as he wants a new challenge.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk