Eddie Howe has confirmed he is on the hunt for one more signing at Newcastle United.
While FFP constraints have played a part all summer, Newcastle have been able to add three first-team options to their squad.
In an ideal world, Howe would be able to strengthen further but has suggested the club have to be “creative” with what is left, both in the budget and in the transfer window.
Defenders look to be on the agenda.
Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen is frequently linked with a move and there’s another name who has featured prominently for months now.
A certain Kieran Tierney.
Kieran Tierney left out of Arsenal’s squad on the opening Premier League weekend
The Scotland international has been touted as a target for what feels like an age.
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Howe was reportedly keen to bring the former Celtic defender in to strengthen at left-back, which would then turn Dan Burn back into a central defender.
Now, Tierney’s future at Arsenal looks bleak.
The 26-year-old was left out of Mikel Arteta’s squad for the win over Nottingham Forest and, according to Fabrizio Romano, is expected to leave north London.
Aston Villa are said to be interested too, while Romano touts Real Sociedad as a potential suitor.
Injury record should worry Newcastle
Though hailed as a “warrior” by Ashley Cole for some of his performances before Oleksandr Zinchenko took his place at Arsenal, Tierney’s injury record should be a worry for Newcastle.
According to Transfermarkt data, the defender has missed 48 games – over a whole season – with various problems since swapping Glasgow for the English capital in 2019.
Reportedly on wages of £110-per-week too, convincing Arsenal to sell to a potential rival towards the top of the Premier League would surely make it an expensive deal to pull off.
Hardly ideal circumstances to do business…