Newcastle delivered transfer warning as Kieran Tierney suffers fitness blow

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Newcastle United transfer target Kieran Tierney has suffered a fitness blow on the eve of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Sporting CP.

The Gunners are set to take on the Portuguese side on Thursday night, but will be without Tierney for the Europa League contest.

The 25-year-old did not train with the rest of his Arsenal teammates ahead of the game, and has not travelled to Portugal for the game against Ruben Amorin’s side.

Mikel Arteta is boosted by the return of Gabriel Jesus, who has not played for Arsenal since before the World Cup.

But for Tierney, missing the European fixture is a blow, as it was a chance to show Arteta why he should play more in the Premier League. He has been a benchwarmer for the majority of the campaign, watching on as his replacement Oleksandr Zinchenko helps the Gunners challenge for the title.

Less first-team football in a red shirt will boost Newcastle’s chances of signing Tierney, but the Toon recruitment team must be concerned by the Scotland international’s latest setback.

Kieran Tierney’s fitness must be a concern for Newcastle

It has been reported that Newcastle are interested in signing Tierney this summer. The Telegraph state that Eddie Howe is a big fan of the defender, who is the Magpies’ top left-back target ahead of next season.

He could reportedly cost at least £25million, and is tempted to move to Tyneside if his current Arsenal woes continue. The former Celtic man has only started four Premier League games this season.

His lack of involvement could force him out the door and into Newcastle’s arms, but question marks over his fitness remain.

To Tierney’s credit, he has been available all of this season until now, but his previous fitness record is a concern.

He missed large parts of last season after undergoing knee surgery, while he also spent time out with an ankle problem. In the 2020/21 campaign, he had recurring knee issues, while his debut year at the Emirates was blighted by a shoulder injury. There were also lengthy injuries at Celtic that should alarm Newcastle.

There is no denying that Tierney is a top class defender, but the Magpies must only sign him if they are sure his injury problems are behind him.

This is only an illness, but it serves as a fresh reminder of the number of games Tierney has missed over the years. We can’t afford to sign someone who is just going to sit in the physio’s room.