Southampton hope to complete the permanent signing of Ryan Bertrand this summer following an impressive start of the season at St Mary’s.
The left-back joined the south coast club last summer on a season-long loan after Saints needed a replacement to fill the £30 million gap left by Luke Shaw, who joined Manchester United.
With opportunities limited at Chelsea, who already have Cesar Azpilicueta and new boy Filipe Luis competing for the left-back role, Bertrand would find it difficult to win a squad place should he return to the Blues next season.
Which is why Saints boss Ronald Koeman is confident of adding the former Villa loanee Bertrand to his squad on a permanent basis, and a deal could be struck as early as January.
Bertrand has played a key role for Southampton this season, forming a dangerous full-back threat with Nathaniel Clyne, and both have been rewarded for their form by Roy Hodgson, who is again set to name the pair in his next squad.
By Matt Derrig
