Brian Deane has exclusively told Football FanCast that he would welcome the addition of Ryan Bertrand at his former club West Ham.

The left-back recently announced that he will be leaving Southampton after seven years of service at the end of his contract, meaning the Hammers could snap him up for nothing.

Bertrand, who turns 32 in August, has remained as Saints’ first choice left-back - until his recent injury - despite his imminent departure and already has a number of clubs queuing for his signature.

Arsenal, who failed in their January attempts to sign the England defender, Crystal Palace and Leicester are all set to battle it out to sign the free agent this summer.

But Deane believes that he’s gone under the radar during his time on the south coast and would be a great signing for West Ham.

David Moyes currently has two recognised left-sided players at his disposal, but Arthur Masuaku prefers to play in a more advanced role, which would leave Bertrand to battle it out for the number one spot with Aaron Creswell, should he decide to return to the capital.

Deane told Football FanCast:

"Somebody who’s very good, mobile, quick. For me, if I am somebody who’s building a team, I am always looking at the mobility and Ryan Bertrand has played for a lot of seasons and gone under the radar at Southampton for a long time.

"He’s probably in the second-tier of full-backs and could kick on."