According to The Express, Newcastle United have joined the race for Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window next month.

What's the story?

Bertrand is widely expected to leave Southampton this summer regardless or whether the Saints stay in the Premier League.

Mark Hughes' side beat Swansea City 1-0 on Tuesday night to move three points clear of the bottom three, and they are now in a very strong position to stay in the division.

There will be changes ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, however, and Bertrand is amongst those expected to seek pastures new.

Tottenham Hotspur have been strongly linked with a move for the full-back, but according to The Express, Newcastle are very much in the hunt.

Magpies boss Rafa Benitez is still unsure what type of transfer budget he will be able to call upon this summer, but Bertrand is believed to be on the club's wish-list.

Would Bertrand be a good signing?

Southampton have struggled for form this season, but Bertrand has once again proven his quality at this level of football.

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The England international was once a transfer target for Manchester City, and has plenty of experience in the Premier League.

This term, the 28-year-old has managed four assists in 34 Premier League appearances, and he was terrific against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night.

Newcastle are not exactly flush with options in the left-back position, and Bertrand would be a fine addition to the Magpies ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Whether Tottenham - or indeed Manchester United - make a move remains to be seen, but Newcastle seemingly fancy their chances of convincing the defender to join the club, and it would be some signing for the Magpies if they did manage to pull it off.