Sunderland ready bid for Ryan Bertrand

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet wants to bring in left back Ryan Bertrand in the summer transfer window. Chelsea have told the defender that he is free to leave Stamford Bridge.

Bertrand has slipped down the pecking order at the Bridge after Ashley Cole and Cesar Azpilicueta took the defender's place in the Blues' first team squad. Reports suggest that Sunderland are confident that they can beat Aston Villa to the signing of Bertrand on a permanent transfer.