Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Unai Emery plotting move for £67m Arsenal transfer target amid Kieran Tierney twist

Aston Villa are weighing up making moves for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, Barcelona star Ferran Torres and Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney, according to the Telegraph.

The north Londoners had tried to sign Vlahovic during the 2022 January transfer window but the Serbian international preferred to stay in Serie A instead, choosing a £67 million move to the Allianz Stadium over the Emirates. But since then, the two clubs have been on slightly different trajectories.

Mikel Arteta's side sit just one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League standings whilst Juventus have endured a torrid campaign, now 16 points behind Serie A leaders Napoli, who were officially crowned champions earlier this week. Now, it is claimed that Villa, who are led by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, are keen to bring Vlahovic to the Premier League.

READ MORE: Arsenal's final four Premier League fixtures compared to Manchester City in tense title race

Emery is also said to be hoping to rival Newcastle United in the race to sign Gunners left-back Tierney, who has been usurped by Oleksandr Zinchenko in Arteta's starting line-up this season. The Spaniard has preferred Zinchenko's ability to invert into midfield, a tactic that gives his side numerical superiority in the middle of the park for added control.

Former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna has previously urged his old side to keep hold of Tierney this summer. Speaking about the Scottish international to Sportingpost, Sagna said: "I wouldn't leave the club.

“He needs to fight to play and come back into the manager's plan. He is part of what's becoming one of the best clubs in England, so where is he going to go? Of course you want to be able to play but sometimes you need to be out of your comfort zone, and he's out of his comfort zone now. So it's time to fight, not just leave and give up.

"What's the point of going somewhere where you know that you're going to start no matter what, and you're going to play - you're not going to progress in that environment. I had the same choice when I left Arsenal, because I was playing in a comfortable position. I could have stayed and yes, I was playing.

"But at some point, if you want to try and get better and you want to challenge yourself, you need to be out of your comfort zone. Zinchenko is giving him a challenge to fight for his place, so he has to train harder and get back to his very best level so he gets his opportunity and then he has to take it.

"If he does that he won't be spending so much time on the bench."

READ NEXT:

Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal transfer: Deal 'very close', £53m price tag, Barcelona battle

Why Arsenal are targeting Premier League players, Emile Smith Rowe future, Marc Guehi latest

William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Newcastle clash

Arsenal’s possible 25-man squad for next season contains 5 new signings including Chelsea star

Transfer news LIVE: All the latest news and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.