Ryan Bertrand signed a five-year deal at Southampton last summer

Manchester City have made a significant step closer in their pursuit of Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand after Monaco slapped a £40m price tag on Benjamin Mendy.

Sky Sports News HQ understands that Bertrand, along with his fellow England full-back Kyle Walker, could be City players within a fortnight.

Sky sources reported in April that Bertrand and Tottenham's Walker were both in City's top-five on their list of targets this summer - and it is understood some aspects of the deal for Bertrand have already been agreed.

The deal would see the full-back more than double the £55,000 a week he is presently on at St Mary's.

Southampton, meanwhile, say they have not yet received any official approaches for Bertrand or any of their players.

nce again, the summer window looks likely to be a difficult time for Southampton with Virgil van Dijk looking increasingly likely to be heading for Liverpool and Dusan Tadic linked with a move to Italy.

City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, is desperate to upgrade his options at full-back following the departures of Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, and Bacary Sagna.

Monaco want £40m from Manchester City for Benjamin Mendy

Guardiola is a known admirer of Monaco's flying left-back Mendy, although reports on Tuesday morning suggest the two clubs are still some way from agreeing a deal - with Monaco demanding £40m.