Arsenal could be set to cash-in on “future captain” Kieran Tierney with the Scottish defender interested in a move to Newcastle, it has been claimed.
The former Celtic defender has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium this season following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko. The former Manchester City star has started 18 Premier League games this season, whilst Tierney has been limited to just four.
That could well lead Tierney to look for fresh opportunities elsewhere with Newcastle reportedly among those interested. The Magpies are reportedly targeting a £30m move for the defender ahead of next season, according to The Telegraph.
Arteta is apparently willing to move Tierney on and the Scot is also open to a move. As per the Evening Standard, he is “tempted” by a switch to St James’ Park and would consider a move should an offer be tabled.
Should the Gunners’ hierarchy agree to a transfer then the club would be losing an influential figure. Martin Keown previously backed Tierney to captain the club after former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the role back in 2021.
The Arsenal icon said: "Now Arteta has acted, he's got the chance to select his own skipper. Under his management, I believe Kieran Tierney has been the standout player who could fulfil that role.”
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Tierney has made 113 appearances for Arsenal since arriving from Celtic in the summer of 2019. He has three-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract in North London.
Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta was recently asked what the future holds for the left-back but remained tight-lipped. Asked if he could leave, the Spaniard replied: "I don’t know, I’m not thinking about it.
"I’m thinking about what’s best for the team and obviously the players with the right to play minutes which they all deserve and we’re going to try to do that in the next couple of games."
Ahead of the summer window, Tierney will no doubt be aiming to play more of a part as the Gunners challenge on two fronts. The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and face Sporting Lisbon in the next round of the Europa League.
Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has suggested that it is “impossible” for Tierney to move above Zinchenko at the Emirates Stadium. He said: “Zinchenko is quite a special player. That’s what it is you have to compete with someone else who’s won the Premier League already with City and he’s doing well.
“So, you have to be patient. It doesn’t mean you just let go and wait. You have to prove in training every time that you deserve to play.
“But yes, it is difficult to get Zinchenko out of the team. It is pretty much impossible. That’s what it is, it’s just tough because of that.”
