Arsenal will firm up their decision about whether to sell Kieran Tierney or not by the end of the week, a report has revealed.
Tierney is facing an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium after losing his place as Arsenal’s starting left-back to Oleksandr Zinchenko. A number of clubs could be interested in signing the Scotland international to give him more gametime.
There have been claims he could reunite with Brendan Rodgers in a sensational return to Celtic. Tierney could have the chance to continue his career in the Premier League, though.
According to Football Insider, Newcastle are currently leading the race to sign Tierney and are ahead of Man City as things stand.
To gain some definitive clarity about his future, Tierney will hold a meeting with Mikel Arteta by the end of the week, the report says.
It will not be the first time Tierney has held talks with the Arsenal manager about his future at the club. But this could be the final step required to see if he will be allowed to leave three years before his contract expires.
Indeed, Arsenal have not yet told Tierney whether they plan to keep or sell him. Once he has spoken with Arteta again, the 26-year-old will know the answer.
By moving to Man City or Newcastle, Tierney would be able to compete in the Champions League next season.
That would also be on offer at Arsenal, who will have to weigh up their squad depth upon their return to Europe’s premier competition.
Tierney importance reducing at Arsenal
Arteta only gave Tierney six starts in the Premier League last season, within his 36 appearances in all competitions. Since joining the club in 2019, he has played 123 times.
His time in north London might be nearing its end, though. How quickly a departure would go through if Arteta gives him the green light to leave, only time will tell.
Arsenal sanctioned their first major sale of the summer on Thursday by confirming the departure of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka is making way to accommodate the purchase of Declan Rice from West Ham for their midfield. Coincidentally, the Hammers have been linked with another left-back from Arsenal in the shape of Nuno Tavares.
Tavares spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Marseille, but whether he moves in the opposite direction to Rice is up for question.
It is also in doubt as to whether or not he could be reintegrated at the Emirates Stadium, meaning Zinchenko could be the only left-back sure of his place in Arteta’s squad for next season.
