Chelsea Defender Ryan Bertrand Open to Making Permanent Transfer to Southampton

Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand has revealed that he would love to join Southampton on a permanent transfer.

The west London club's manager Jose Mourinho allowed Bertrand join Southampton on a season-long loan earlier this summer. Since making the switch to the St Mary's Stadium, the left-back has started in the Saints' all nine league matches so far and has scored a goal in the process.

The 25-year-old came up through the ranks of the Blues' youth setup before making it into the first team in 2006. However, Bertrand has failed to get regular playing time and has spent most of his time away from Stamford Bridge on loan.

Southampton have excelled so far this season under the guidance of new manager Ronald Koeman as they sit second in the league table. Bertrand is impressed with Saints' start to this campaign and is now hoping to make his deal permanent.

"It is one of them things where I've got to wait and see, but, for me, there's no reason why not, to be honest," Bertrand told Sky Sports.

"There is a good base to the club, we're pulling in the right direction. We have fantastic fans, fantastic players, a fantastic manager and the coaching staff."

"It has been a good experience for me so far so I don't see why not. For me, it is a first in many aspects, especially with the consistency of football I'm getting."

"I am pleased with the way it has started but you know there is a lot more work to be done. As a team we're only going to get better, individually I am only going to improve," the England international said.

Meanwhile, Koeman has already expressed his desire to sign Bertrand on a permanent transfer.

"If we have the money, yes. If its up to me, yes. Maybe it's too early to talk about that, but I am very happy until now with the performance of Ryan," the Daily Mail quoted Koeman as saying.

"Ryan got the opportunity (at Southampton) to play every weekend what he missed in Chelsea, he's still a young player and the best way to develop yourself is playing every weekend," the Southampton manager added.