Newcastle United are interested in signing Kieran Tierney this summer, and he might be even more keen for a move away from Arsenal after this weekend.
Arsenal‘s Premier League title bid came to an end on Saturday evening, when Mikel Arteta’s side lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. The result confirmed Manchester City as champions.
The Gunners did not have enough to get over the line, and have been hampered by a few injuries towards the latter end of the season. One was Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal’s first choice left-back who has not played since the win over Newcastle.
His injury looked like it would give Tierney the chance to start every remaining game, but that has not proven to be the case.
The 25-year-old started against Brighton, but was subsequently dropped for the game at the City Ground. Arteta decided to play Jakub Kiwior at left-back instead, despite the Pole being a centre-back by trade.
It was an odd decision, and one that Tierney’s former Celtic teammate Kris Commons could not fathom.
Kris Commons shocked by what has happened to Kieran Tierney
The 39-year-old has wrote about Tierney in his column for the Daily Mail, and expressed his dismay at seeing the Scotland international fall even further down the pecking order.
“With Zinchenko missing at left-back, that should have been a green light for Tierney to start against Nottingham Forest on Saturday night,” he wrote.
“But Mikel Arteta chose to start Polish youngster Jakub Kiwior instead of Tierney. Signed from Serie A side Spezia in January, Kiwior is a centre-back by trade. But he was picked ahead of Tierney, something which I found pretty perplexing to be honest given that Tierney remains one of the best left-backs in Europe on his day.
“He looked like he was going to be a key player in the revolution under Arteta. I find it really strange the way Tierney seems to have fallen out of favour.”
Newcastle transfer makes ‘a lot of sense’
Commons then addressed Newcastle’s interest in the defender.
“I’ve seen a lot of stories doing the rounds over the past week about how Eddie Howe wants to make Tierney Newcastle’s first choice left-back next season,” he said.
“I think it’s a move which would make a lot of sense and tick a lot of boxes for both the club and the player himself.
“From Newcastle’s point of view, they would be getting one of the best left-backs in Europe, a born winner, and a guy who could be a mainstay in the team for the next 10 years. Tierney is still only 25 years old. His peak years are still ahead of him. He’s already proven at the top level with club and country and also has Champions League experience.
“That’s something which Newcastle will be desperate to add in the summer. Players who have Champions League experience and can come in and immediately improve their starting XI.”
Eddie Howe can rescue the Scottish left-back
As Commons says, a move to Newcastle surely makes a lot of sense for both parties. He fits the profile of what the Magpies are looking for this summer, while it is clear that he is not valued at the Emirates.
The decision not to start him against Forest was really strange, and should really signal the end for Tierney as an Arsenal player. Arteta decided against playing him, despite the fact his first choice left-back was missing.
It should prove to be the final nail in the coffin of Tierney’s Arsenal career, with Newcastle hoping to bring him to St James’ Park in a move that could cost as much as £40million.
There have been plenty of stories about a move. It is claimed that he is the club’s top target, and that a deal is expected to be completed.
Hopefully that proves to be the case, as Tierney would be a wonderful addition to this exciting Newcastle squad.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
