Bertrand leaves the Saints
Ryan Bertrand departed Southampton this summer, after the left-back’s contract at St Mary’s expired. He seems set to have swapped the South Coast for the Midlands, with Leicester City on the verge of clinching his signature.
Ryan Bertrand to Leicester, done deal and here we go! Total agreement reached, signing a contract until June 2023 [one year option included until 2024]. 🔵🦊 #LCFC
After many approaches/bids, Bertrand will be officially announced as new Leicester player in the next days.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2021
Bertrand made 29 appearances in Southampton’s most recent Premier League campaign, meaning that the Saints will need to replace him well this window.
Fortunately for Southampton fans, the club seem to be doing just that.
Romain Perraud edging closer to move
The player lined up to take the Englishman’s place is Ligue 1 prospect Romain Perraud. The Frenchman, who currently plies his trade for Stade Brest, has certainly caught the eye going forwards.
Romain Perraud has arrived in England to undergo a medical with Southampton ahead of a €12m + bonuses move from Brest. https://t.co/TbA7mOmT0d
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 1, 2021
The 23-year-old has been heavily involved in the final third of the pitch, providing three goals and seven assists for his side.
PROFILE | Get introduced to Brest full-back Romain Perraud, who is poised to imminently sign for Southampton https://t.co/Y02GxaOmG5 pic.twitter.com/nmRIuLdmuV
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 1, 2021
Ironically, although perhaps not for a modern-day fullback, it is the defensive side of Perraud’s game that will need fine-tuning, and he is unlikely to significantly improve that end of the pitch. This could be something of a worry for a side that conceded 68 goals last season, the second-most in the league.
However, given his age and potential strengths, Perraud remains an incredibly exciting option for Ralph Hassenhutl. Such has been his form, the Frenchman was suggested as an alternative for Arsenal when the North London club were keen on Bertrand.
With a rumoured 12 million euro price tag, Perraud could well prove to be another player that Southampton sell on for big profit in the next couple of years.
