According to Sky Sports, Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand after their interest in Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy stalled over his £40m price tag.

The England international has been one of the Saints’ best and most consistent performers over the course of the last three seasons and his showings haven’t gone unnoticed by City manager Pep Guardiola.

The Spaniard needs to sign a new left-sided defender having decided to release Gael Clichy at the end of his contract and he believes the 27-year-old could be the answer to his problem.

Saints supporters have got used to seeing their best players leave each summer since they returned to the Premier League and the former Chelsea man could be the latest in a long of stars to leave for pastures new.

Even though they have previously lost their key men, they haven’t often suffered too much as a result thanks to some shrewd moves in the transfer market and they will be confident of doing the same again.

Here are three reasons Southampton shouldn’t be upset if Bertrand joins City…

He looks disinterested

Britain Soccer Football - Southampton v Hapoel Be'er Sheva - UEFA Europa League Group Stage - Group K - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England - 8/12/16 Southampton's Ryan Bertrand looks dejected after the match  Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

While he has largely been a consistent performer for Southampton ever since moving to St Mary’s from Chelsea in 2014, Bertrand was far less influential in the closing months of the season and some will speculate that he was already thinking about a move away.

The Saints fans got used to the 27-year-old putting in committed performances from a defensive point of view and providing a real attacking threat but when that disappeared, he was just another left-back.

While the club obviously wouldn’t want to lose a player of the England international’s quality, it is difficult to keep a player that seemingly wants out.

They have players to step in

While Southampton will be afraid to lose someone like Virgil van Dijk because of the lack of options they have at the heart of the defence, the situation at left-back is certainly less critical.

Behind Bertrand in the pecking order is both Matt Targett and Sam McQueen, with the latter particularly impressing when the former Chelsea man was absent earlier in the campaign.

The duo have both featured for the England Under-21 side – with Targett being named in the squad for the upcoming European Championships – and the south coast outfit will want to give two of their youth products a chance to impress next season.

Transfer fee

Britain Football Soccer - AFC Bournemouth v Southampton - Premier League - Vitality Stadium - 18/12/16 Southampton's Ryan Bertrand celebrates scoring their first goal  Reuters / Hannah McKay Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for furthe

Southampton completed a £10m permanent deal to sign Bertrand from Chelsea in 2015 but they know that with Manchester City lurking and the fact that he is now an established England international, they should get more than double that for the 27-year-old this summer.

Saints have got used to making a profit on their players when they are sold on and this would be another case in what is such a successful model.

While it isn’t guaranteed that they would need to buy a new left-back if Bertrand leaves, the money could be spent to the strengthen the squad elsewhere if not.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.