Arsenal will make their first official written offer for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand in the next few days, according to a report.

TheAFCBell, who correctly called the transfer of Thomas Partey to Arsenal last summer, report that Arsenal will make their first formal offer for summer free agent Ryan Bertrand in a few days’ time.

Arsenal are intensifying their efforts to secure the deal, with their interest moving into a more serious stage over the last week. They have a backup alternative to fill the left-back position, but Bertrand is the priority at the moment.

The Daily Mail and Goal also recently reported that talks between Arsenal and Ryan Bertrand’s camp had intensified, as he prepares to leave Southampton on a free transfer.

Previous reports suggested AC Milan, AS Monaco, and Manchester City were also interested in the player, but TheAFCBell report that a source in the player’s camp says he’d prefer to remain in the Premier League.

Arsenal would obviously like to use Bertrand as a backup to Kieran Tierney. Goal claimed they tried to bring the left-back in for exactly that purpose in January, but Southampton rejected Arsenal’s bid in the hope they could tie the player to a new deal.

Southampton have since confirmed Bertrand is leaving this summer, so a move to Arsenal is back on again.