Newcastle United are being heavily linked with a move for Kieran Tierney, and he is reportedly interested on a move to Tyneside on one condition.
According to the Evening Standard, Tierney will be tempted to swap Arsenal for Newcastle in the summer if he continues to find himself out of Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
The Scotland international has barely featured this season, with Oleksandr Zinchenko taking his place after arriving from Manchester City at the start of the campaign.
The Ukrainian defender has performed brilliantly in an Arsenal shirt, and is playing a crucial role in the Gunners’ bid to win the Premier League title.
But while Arteta’s side are flying high at the top, Tierney is warming the bench. He has only started four league games this season, leading to speculation that he could be on his way out in the coming months.
Mikel Arteta can help Newcastle sign Kieran Tierney this summer
Plenty of outlets have reported on Newcastle’s interest in Tierney. The Northern Echo have reported that he is the Magpies’ top left-back target, while the Telegraph believe that Eddie Howe is a long-term admirer of the 25-year-old.
Elsewhere, the Chronicle have stated that Tierney, who earns £110,000-a-week at Arsenal, is open to a move to St James’ Park. And now the Evening Standard have added to that claim. They also believe that a move to Tyneside could appeal – but only if he remains on the fringes in North London.
Therefore, Arteta would be doing Howe a massive favour if he continues to ignore the £25million man. The less he plays, the more likely he is to move, and it sounds like a transfer to Newcastle appeals. It is certainly closer to home, with Tierney being raised in North Lanarkshire after moving there from the Isle Of Man at the age of 10 months.
Combine the geography with Newcastle’s upturn in fortunes and potential return to Europe, and the chance to play for Howe’s side is one that could be difficult to turn down.
It has been claimed that it will cost at least £25million to sign Tierney, with Arsenal having no intentions of letting him go at a loss. That should be affordable for Newcastle, who will have to weigh up how much they think he is worth given his recent injury issues.
If he can stay fit then he is a top class defender, and has previously been described as a ‘warrior‘ by Ashley Cole – and he knows a thing or two about being a great left-back.
Tierney would be a wonderful addition to Howe’s squad, so let’s hope Arteta keeps leaving him on the bench.
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