Arsenal have effectively ended their interest in Ryan Bertrand, choosing to focus on younger options after no progress in talks.

TheAFCBell report that talks between Arsenal and Ryan Bertrand’s camp are deadlocked, and the Gunners have effectively ended their interest in the player as a result. Instead, Arsenal are now targeting a younger option at left-back.

Even while the Bertrand talks were going on, Arsenal were reportedly in parallel discussions with this younger alternative. They’ll presumably step up their interest now.

With Sead Kolasinac linked with a move to Italy, Arsenal’s need in the left-back position is undiminished. Granit Xhaka is also seemingly on the way out, so that’s another covering option lost. Kieran Tierney remains the only natural left-back in the squad.

We don’t yet have the name of the younger left-back in talks, though there’s obviously speculation that it’s Josh Doig, who was linked earlier in the window. But the latest update on Doig suggested a move was unlikely, so it may be someone else.

I don’t think Arsenal fans will be too unhappy that the club are going for a younger option instead of Bertrand.

Bertrand’s Premier League experience was obviously a positive, but most of us want Kieran Tierney to play whenever he’s available. A younger option to learn from Tierney and possibly take over from him someday makes sense.