Arsenal Insider can reveal that Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has been plotting his Emirates exit for some time.
The Scotsman has generated a lot of transfer attention in the January transfer window, as Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Tierney is not in his plans.
Arsenal’s left-back spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Real Sociedad to find his feet after a layoff due to injury and competition within the Gunners’ squad.
Tierney is one of three players whose Arsenal futures are at risk, with a fresh update on the defender’s situation now revealed.
Kieran Tierney’s Arsenal transfer plan revealed
In the race to sign Tierney, there has been one club standing above the others, and that is his beloved Celtic.
Celtic have been plotting a return for Tierney amid his struggles to secure consistent minutes at the Emirates, with transfer talks seemingly progressing.
The Telegraph claimed that the 27-year-old is ‘close’ to rejoining his former club with a pre-contract agreement tabled.
While Tierney’s future is not expected to be at Arsenal, sources close to Arsenal Insider understand that the Scotsman’s transfer has been a long time coming.
Speaking to football transfers expert Graeme Bailey of TBR Football, Arsenal Insider were made aware of Tierney’s long-term plan to leave the Gunners for Celtic.
“Arsenal and Tierney have long been in agreement about his future, Arsenal did not offer him fresh terms as they knew he wanted to return to Glasgow,” Bailey said before revealing when the defender’s decision was made.
“That was always Tierney’s aim to return to Celtic – he decided that last year after speaking with Brendan Rodgers.”
We understand that talks are ongoing between the three parties, with Arsenal very much at the heart of negotiations, taking pride in their very strong relationship with Tierney.
When could Tierney leave Arsenal to join Celtic?
While Tierney’s next destination seems to have been decided, it remains unclear when the defender will make the move.
Bailey told Arsenal Insider that despite being open to the idea of Tierney leaving, Arsenal are reluctant to part ways earlier than the summer due to concerns of being left short.
- READ MORE: ‘Clearly’ – Kieran Tierney Arsenal exit assessed by Brendan Rodgers amid links to Celtic transfer
This comes as Oleksandr Zinchenko has been linked to Borussia Dortmund, with the idea of two left-back’s leaving not desired.
Either scenario remains uncertain, with there a chance that Tierney does leave this month if the Gunners deem his transfer feasible.
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