Arsenal ramp up interest in Ryan Bertrand as they seek to beat Premier League rivals in race to sign Southampton defender on free transfer

• Arsenal will finish this season with Kieran Tierney as their only senior left-back
• Manchester City among a host of rival clubs interested in signing Bertrand 
• Talks over a free transfer move have intensified in the last few days

Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Ryan Bertrand.

Southampton and Bertrand announced this week that the left-back would be leaving at the end of his contract this summer.

And talks over a free transfer move to the Emirates for Bertrand have intensified in the last few days, since it was confirmed that the 31-year-old is moving on after seven years at St Mary’s.

Arsenal are in the market for a left-back this summer and hoping to beat a number of clubs including Manchester City to land Bertrand.

Arsenal will finish this season with Kieran Tierney as their only senior left-back having allowed Sead Kolasinac to re-join Schalke on loan in January.

Kolasinac’s Arsenal contract expires at the end of this season.

Champions City are long-term admirers of Bertrand, 31, and remain keen amid doubts over the future of Benjamin Mendy.

Versatile duo Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko have also filled the position this season but Bertrand would provide a natural and experienced alternative for Pep Guardiola.

Bertrand joined Southampton in 2014, initially on loan, and has made almost 250 appearances for the club.