Kieran Tierney’s future at Arsenal has been uncertain all summer, but an injury to Jurrien Timber looked set to shelve any departure plans. However, he could still leave.
The Scotland international, who joined from Celtic for around £25m in 2019, has been linked with Newcastle and Real Sociedad, but both sides attempted to sign him on loan with Arsenal wanting a permanent deal.
Fabrizio Romano has now told GIVEMESPORT that Tierney could still leave, with both the club and player open to a departure ahead of the transfer deadline.
“I think he will (leave) because, on the player’s side, they are open to making this move happen. He wants to play, and that’s why Arsenal have the same intention,” he stated.
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“Real Sociedad are the club showing the biggest interest because they made a verbal proposal for a loan deal with a buy option. Arsenal asked for an obligation. So, Arsenal want a permanent transfer. For Tierney, they aren’t so keen on a loan transfer. Let’s see how the conversation with Real Sociedad will continue.”
Should Arsenal keep Tierney?
There is a case to be made that Mikel Arteta will be better off keeping the 26-year-old, given the injury to Timber.
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If Arsenal let Tierney go, they will have to replace him in the market, and this may only be a worthwhile move if they are able to land someone more versatile, or more suited to the inverted left-back role that Oleksandr Zinchenko currently occupies.
Tierney may be better off departing in favour of first-team opportunities, but Arsenal should only sanction a profitable sale, rather than a loan. If he is willing to go abroad, then the club should avoid potentially strengthening a rival by selling him domestically.
All reports indicate that whilst Tierney is open to a move, he will not push for one, so if no suitable offer arrives, then he should be given more chances in the first team to retain his value, and as one of the only attack-minded full-backs in the squad, he can still be very useful in some games.