Ryan Bertrand has spoken of his desire to sign a new contract at Saints and be part of Ralph Hasenhuttl's plans going forward, good news about a player who could be considered one of our best signings since our return to the Premier League.

Ryan Bertrand has given the club great service since signing in the summer of 2014, joining a club in turmoil with some of it's best players leaving, but he soon became part of a team that bettered Mauricio Pochettino's side and 7 years later he is still at the club and is an elder statesman now along with Shane Long.

In this his 7th season he has started 175 Premier League games for the club and another as sub, meaning that if he wants to hit 200 in the League he will have to play every game in the remainder of this season, although he will hit the target when cup games are added.

At 31 Bertrand has maybe two seasons left in him as a first choice player and as a defender may get a third in as a squad player, all teams need old heads, and the value of Bertrand and indeed Long is not just on the pitch but off the field on the training ground and in and around the club.

Bertrand had this to say to the Daily Echo.

“Definitely, I want to stay. That’s my thought process.

“I see myself staying here and it would be great to be part of this club for the long haul.

“I’ve been here so long. I have still got plenty of years left in me. And to go beyond that and possibly work for the club even after football.

“I’m fully focussed on hopefully extending my contract here.”

Asked how close a new deal was to being agreed, Bertrand added:

“I don’t think it’s too far away.

“It’s in the club’s hands, to be honest.”

Quizzed on Bertrand's contract situation earlier this month, boss Ralph Hasenhuttl had said:

"We are in negotiations with a lot of players now.

"We show them that we want them but we must be strong to stay in our (financial) limits. This is important for our future and that we have a healthy one.

"Whoever wants to follow us is invited and the rest are not ours."

It seems that Ryan Bertrand is one that wants to stay.

All in all Bertrand has been perhaps one of the best signings for the club in the past 9 seasons since the club returned to the Premier League, he has been a mainstay of the team since he joined and at£10 million a bargain.

As a defender he has never quite received the adulation that attackers do, but he has been consistent and never attracted abuse from that section of the crowd that seem to love to hate certain players, he has just gone out and rarely put in a performance less than 8/10 week in week out.

I for one would be delighted to see him sign a new deal and help bring on his successor, whether that be Jake Vokins or someone brought in from elsewhere.

Photo: Action Images

Chesham_Saint added 10:05 - Dec 22 Good news if he signs. He’s been consistent, very good and with a healthy attitude. Overall an absolute bargain; I’m pleased.
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highfield49 added 10:23 - Dec 22 Good news indeed, even though I thought he might be planning to leave and I'm pleased to be proved wrong. Hopefully the wage structure isn't so rigid that his wage demands can be be negotiated without causing friction within the group.
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WestSussexSaint added 10:27 - Dec 22 I think it would cost another £10m minimum to replace Bertrand and at the moment Vokins appears still a season or two away from being first choice. So if he does sign I think that would make sense from the club’s point of view as well. Like all players his age the main issue is likely to be likely to be length of contract. Hopefully they get this one done and then just Ings to sort out.

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perazi added 10:30 - Dec 22 RB has been a great signing for Saints and continues to prove his worth as one of the best LBs in the Prem....as a footnote, I'd argue we have the best RB in the Prem in the form of KWP. With Vokins progress stalled and a dearth of obvious replacements, it should be a no brainer to extend Bertrand's contract. I wouldn't compare Bertrand and Long - not just the 3 year age difference but Long is no longer a Prem player in my view...even from the bench.

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SaintPaulVW added 11:50 - Dec 22 At his age the haggling point is almost certainly going to be contract length. The club are probably offering 2 years and he wants the security of a 4 year deal. Something like that anyway. Without a definite replacement standing in the wings, this can probably get sorted. Which is good because provided he can avoid serious injury he's an above average player who can still DAJFU. Interesting to see if Ings' injury will change either sides perspective on his contract negotiations.

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TimSaint added 13:37 - Dec 22 Maybe it is the cynic in me, but perhaps he has become a little more vocal on his situation, now that he has realised there are no other (big) offers for him, we have been linked with loans for full backs and he is probably better off where he is anyway. I see him as first team for another 2 seasons, with either Vokins or someone new coming through in that 2nd season. Has been a great signing for us considering the time he has been here and has kept his place throughout, but he did have that strop for pretty much a whole season, has a tendency to switch off and often appears lazy. 2 year deal for me. 3 if it is the difference between keeping him or not. It is good to hear he still has much to offer (but he would say that) and has aspirations to work for the club after he finishes playing.

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saintmark1976 added 13:55 - Dec 22 I wonder if he has had a change of heart having seen the recent injuries to Danny Ings. Surely better to sign an extended contract now rather than run the risk of seeing his existing contract out, during which time he picks up an injury and no other club wants him? He is after all is said and done 31 years old.
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Saidou added 14:45 - Dec 22 Do not get carried away. Read between the lines.. Bertrand: I want to stay here in the long haul..but, it's in the club's hands. RH: We show them that we want them but we must be strong to stay in our (financial) limits. It is very clear that RB wants more money and the club is saying no you're getting older so we can't pay you that. RH made a strong statement defending the club and the player is saying I'm not the problem. The club is. War of words. Player will most likely leave. Probably go to a higher paying club like Westham United.

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sidsaint added 17:27 - Dec 22 I hope he stays as I think he wants to stay in football after his playing days are over. He could be a good guy to have around on the coaching and maybe even management side in the future.
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davidpeach added 19:47 - Dec 22 I don't often post on here, but feel I must stand up for a great player and terrific servant to the club. Ryan has been a permanent fixture at right back for over six years, scarcely injured, seldom has a bad game and often excels. A lot of the comments refer to him as 'a good signing' aka 'value for money' which doesn't do justice to his contribution over the years. Interpreting 'body language' and 'attitude' is tricky from the terraces but personally, I have never doubted his commitment. I also thought his comments about Grenfell were well judged and appeared to be from the heart. He stated a while ago that he would like a business role in football and I think we should try to roll that in to any new contract. Great player and true Saint IMHO. Glad I've got that off my chest.

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NewburySaint added 21:17 - Dec 22 Good work davidpeach, I couldn’t have put it better myself!
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davidpeach added 07:38 - Dec 23 Should have read 'left back' of course
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underweststand added 14:17 - Dec 23 Yes, of course we should give an extension to Ryan - as he, Theo Walcott and Shane Long have loads of experience in winning and a wealth of experience they can pass on. Of course, In time their game time may decease a little, but having "senior" players of their calibre around to coach the young talents will be invaluable. If that trio end their playing days with Saints, we will have benefited both on and off the pitch, as will those youngsters who grow up playing alongside them in the coming years.

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