Southampton have been linked with Reims left-back Ghislain Konan recently, and he could be the ideal man to replace Ryan Bertrand in Ralph Hasenhuttl's squad.

According to the Daily Mail, via TEAMtalk, both Southampton and Aston Villa are interested in the 25-year-old defender this summer, with the report suggesting that he would cost around £5.1m. It added that Konan is keen on a move to the Premier League and would come cheap due to only having a year left on his contract at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.

This immediately marks him out as someone who would be a viable option for the Saints this summer, as Hasenhuttl has already confirmed that his side will be targeting players who cost £10m or less in the transfer window ahead of next season.

The Austrian will be desperate to add a left-back to his squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, following the news that Ryan Bertrand would leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Konan could prove to be the 31-year-old's ideal heir on the south coast, as he has plenty of experience in Ligue 1 and in the Portuguese top flight with Vitoria Guimaraes, whilst he has also earned 11 caps for the Ivory Coast.

This season has seen the left-back make 30 appearances in the French top flight, in which he has contributed two goals and one assist, averaging a solid 6.75 rating from WhoScored.

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Bertrand, by comparison, contributed no goals and just one assist in the Premier League for Southampton this season, earning a much less impressive 6.41 rating for his performances from WhoScored.

Konan is very similar to Bertrand when it comes to defensive metrics such as tackling and interceptions this season, but the former seems to have the edge from an attacking perspective, averaging a better passing accuracy, more dribbles and more key passes per game than the 31-year-old.

This is where the Englishman has been weak at times in recent seasons, so Konan's arrival could give Southampton much more of an attacking threat down the left-hand side, similar to Bertrand's first few seasons at the club when he provided a lot more going forward.

Therefore, it looks as if Konan could be the ideal target to replace Bertrand at Southampton this summer, and given his low asking price, Saints vice-chairman Martin Semmens should definitely try and bring him to St Mary's.

In other news... Hasenhuttl handed golden chance to axe £13.5m flop, Gao surely buzzing