Journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney will likely leave this summer amid transfer interest from Newcastle United.
What’s the latest on Kieran Tierney and NUFC transfer links?
The Scottish left-back has struggled for regular game time in the Premier League with the Gunners this season and so his future in north London looks to be in doubt.
Indeed, a recent report in London World, claimed that the Magpies have Tierney on their transfer shortlist with manager Eddie Howe a long-term admirer of the defender.
While speaking about the 25-year-old on YouTube, Watts claimed that he’d be “surprised” if he remains with Arsenal beyond this summer as he’s fallen down the pecking order.He said (11:33): “One player who Arteta was asked about Kieran Tierney, [he] didn’t give too much away.”Obviously, Tierney’s been heavily linked with Newcastle recently. I think we all know, I think we’d all be surprised if Tierney stays at Arsenal for next season, given clearly he’s not the number-one choice here anymore. He’s behind Zinchenko in the pecking order.”The way Arteta wants to play is not really Kieran Tierney’s style of play. It just feels like this is the summer we are probably going to see Kieran Tierney move.”He added (12:37): “Fantastic player though and it would be great to see him make an impact [at Arsenal] between now and the end of the season because he’s still so popular.”Could Tierney end up at NUFC?Seeing as Tierney has lost his spot to Oleksandr Zinchenko at Arsenal as the Gunners push for a league title, it’s not as if he’s just been dropped for anybody. After all, the Ukrainian has already won the division four times and seems to just be a better fit for Arteta’s plans.What’s more, the Scotland international is still regularly called upon as a trusted squad option, making 25 appearances across all competitions so far this term.With that in mind, it’s easy to see why Howe still rates the player and may well feel as though he could come in and do a fine job for Newcastle in the future.On top of that, manager Arteta has refused to rule out a summer exit, recently telling the press: “I don’t know, I’m not thinking about that [Tierney’s exit].“I’m thinking about what’s best for the team and the players who earn the right to play minutes, that they all deserve. We’re going to try and do that in the next couple of games.”And so, with the player’s future seemingly up in the air, perhaps he could be picked up by the Magpies in the transfer window when the season ends.