Arsenal seem to be desperate to land a left-back by the start of next season and have shortlisted Celtic’s Kieran Tierney.
The Gunners had a bid for him rejected previously, and we reported a few days ago about how Celtic want £20 million for the Scottish left-back. But it seems like his price has been inflated further as reports now suggest that Celtic are demanding £25 million for him.
The report in The Times states that Celtic will not accept any bids less than £25 million, and that the Gunners have competition for his signature, with Everton and Napoli also reportedly interested in signing him.
Tierney is a highly-rated left-back who has come through the Celtic youth academy, joining the club as a seven-year-old.
The 22-year-old made his first-team debut in 2015 at the end of the 2014-15 season, and became a regular player for the club from the very next season, and is now one of the most important players in the Celtic squad.
He has won four Scottish league titles with Celtic, while also racking up a host of personal trophies, and has been included in the Team of the Year, and also won the Young Player of the Year on multiple occasions.
The Scottish international has played 170 games for Celtic, despite his young age, and has even made his national team debut for Scotland, playing 12 games for his country.
Do Arsenal really need Kieran Tierney?
Arsenal’s first-choice left-back or left wing-back for the 2018-19 season was Sead Kolašinac, who has nailed down that position, while Nacho Monreal has been relegated to a place on the bench or as a left-sided centre-back.
With reports suggesting that Monreal may leave the club, Arsenal need a back-up left-back. Tierney could be a fantastic player for the Gunners.
Tierney is an attacking full-back who likes to make overlapping runs, while also showing great control. The dependable full-back could be a very good option for Arsenal even in the wing-back position as he has shown great drive and determination in terms of his attacking contribution.
At 22 years of age, Tierney has a long career ahead of him and is bound to improve, which makes his signing a sound financial decision.
Considering the Gunners need someone young and reliable, Tierney is perhaps the right option, and he won’t cost the club a fortune in transfer fees and wages as well.
Same question I have asked. With the miserly transfer budget reportedly available to Arsenal, is left back really so critical as to commit half of their transfer funds? I’d think the priority would be to replace Ramsey and get a winger. If more funds should accrue from sale of fringe players then may be we can think of defenders.
Arsenal’s woeful defense is less a result of playing personnel as it owes to coaching and tactics. That’s my thinking