Unlike the rest of the top 6 – barring Chelsea, who have a transfer ban – Arsenal may have a quiet summer as manager Unai Emery does not have as big a transfer kitty as Klopp, Guardiola, Solskjaer or even north London rivals, Tottenham.
The Gunners will have to make do with the squad that they have and perhaps execute a few value additions to the squad to pose a challenge to the top 4 of the Premier League. But Emery will be looking to raise money for a couple of crucial deals with proceeds from player sales and a bit of coaxing at the Emirates.
One player that has been linked with a move to Arsenal and interest for whom has grown over the last few weeks is Celtic’s Kieran Tierney.
We recently reported that the Gunners had a bid rejected for the Scotsman, with the Scottish champions demanding at least £25 million.
Former Scotland international Kevin Gallacher believes that Tierney could be a great addition to the Gunners squad and that he fits the English club’s style of football:
“I think it will suit Kieran and the way he plays – he is an attacking full-back. That is a strength of his. At the moment, they have got Monreal playing full-back. I think Kieran is a lot better than him,” said Gallacher.
The 22-year-old has had a fantastic few years at Celtic and has been one of the most important players for the team. Tierney has won four league titles and several individual honours since making his debut for the club in 2015.
Tierney’s contract with Celtic expires in 2023 and he’s currently being valued north of £25 million by the club. The Scottish international has made 12 appearances for the Scotland national team since making his debut in 2016.
Is he worth the hype?
Tierney is a fantastic player who has shown great form for Celtic with his rampaging runs from left-back causing trouble to numerous opposition defences.
The attacking full-back is quick, skilful and is a good dribbler, contributing often in the attacking third.
The Scottish left-back mainly plays as a full-back, but can also play the wing-back role, while he has, on a few occasions, played as a centre-back.
Arsenal need a left full-back as Nacho Monreal’s long-term replacement and also as someone who can immediately challenge for a first-team spot with the Spaniard losing his sharpness and Sead Kolasinac looking more likely as the back-up option.
Tierney, at 22 years of age, could be a great investment for Arsenal and he could play for the English club for the next decade or so.
But Celtic are understandably not keen to let him leave and the Gunners will need to work out a solid offer to entice the Scottish champions to lower their guard and take the transfer forward.
