Title-chasing Etihad chief puts Southampton’s England left-back on his list for the January sales – and also wants another top central defender

PEP GUARDIOLA wants Ryan Bertrand to boost Manchester City’s title hopes.

The City boss will target a left-back and left-sided centre-back in the January sales.

Ryan Bertrand is likely to be a prime January target for Man City – at around £30m

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is looking for a top-class, specialist replacement for injured left-back Benjamin Mendy

And £30million-rated Bertrand is in his sights to cover for crocked Benjamin Mendy.

The Southampton full-back, 28, was on City’s radar in the summer.

But they went for Mendy, who made a big impact  before a serious knee injury last month.

Guardiola wants defenders to help City to fight on four fronts.

He said: “We will see if we can add players in January.

“The problem we have is the Mendy injury.”

Ryan Bertrand has been a recent regular for England at left-back and is likely to be vying with Danny Rose for the starting spot in the World Cup finals next summer

Pep Guardiola has admitted he thinks his City side need two more defenders

Fabian Delph has filled in for Mendy, and Kyle Walker or Danilo could switch flanks.

But a class replacement is  on the cards.

Bertrand has a contract at St Mary’s until 2021, but boss Mauricio Pellegrino might cash in.

Former club Chelsea are also thought to be monitoring Bertrand after their spluttering start to the season.

And Stamford Bridge chief Antonio Conte has even been linked with a triple raid of St. Mary’s for Betrand, Portugal right-back Cedric Soares and central-defender Virgil van Dijk.

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Cedric Soares is the other half of a highly-rated Southampton full-back duo

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4686049/ryan-bertrand-manchester-city-southampton-pep-guardiola/