Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal star Kieran Tierney this summer, the Spanish giants are thought to be readying a £50 million bid for the 24-year-old. But now Tierney, who netted his first goal for his country in Scotland’s 1-1 draw with Poland on Thursday, is also being eyed by fierce Spanish rivals Barcelona.
And according to The Sunday Post his maiden international strike has strengthened the resolve of Real boss Carlo Ancelotti to sign the Gunners’ left-back but also drew the attention of the Catalan side. They report that Los Blancos scout Juni Calafat identified Tierney as a player who has the potential to excel in the upper echelons of the European game.
Ancelotti reportedly tried to sign the Scotland star whilst he was in charge of former club Napoli, but ultimately lost out to Arsenal who bought him for £25 million from Celtic in the summer of 2019. Barcelona are also believed to be interested in signing the Scotsman which could spark a bidding war between the two Spanish giants.
READ MORE:Flo Balogun makes Arsenal admission as striker names one area Middlesbrough loan has improved
Meanwhile, former Chelsea star Pat Nevin believes Tierney could play for ‘any team in the world,’ he also rubbished suggestions that the Arsenal captaincy would be enough to keep him in north London, insisting that moving to a club like Real or Manchester City would be best for his career.
“Kieran’s been linked with Real Madrid, and I’m convinced he would have no problem fitting in there, he’s good enough to join any club in the world, and hit the ground running. He said.
“It would suggest [the Arsenal captaincy] that the club realises how important and influential Kieran has become, he’s the main reason that Arsenal are a top-four team right now.
“However, once you’ve reached the level he’s attained, then money doesn’t come into it. He’ll get at least as much as Arsenal can offer him if he moves somewhere else. It will be all about what he can win from now on. I think Manchester City would be the perfect club for him.”
Nevin went further in his praise of the Gunners star and believes he is talented enough to scoop individual awards usually reserved for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. However, he concedes that if Tierney is to win the top gongs he would ideally avoid having to compete with stars such as the aforementioned duo.
He added: “I genuinely believe he can go on to win the Ballon d’Or. Only one defender – Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup – has ever won that prize. But it’s not impossible for KT to emulate him.
“For that, three things need to happen. First, he has to be playing for one of the biggest clubs and winning trophies. Secondly, he has to avoid being around at the same time as geniuses like Maradona or Lionel Messi or goal machines like Cristiano Ronaldo. Finally, he has to offer something different. That’s already happening.”
