Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a summer swoop for Celtic defender Kieran Tierney, while the Bhoys are plotting a move for Chris Willock.
The Daily Mirror have reported that Arsene Wenger has set his sights on Kieran Tierney, and Arsenal are weighing up a summer move for the Celtic defender. The Scottish international has previously been followed by the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Tierney is one of the most highly rated youngsters in British football having progressed rapidly through the ranks at Celtic before bursting onto the first team picture for the Scottish giants last season.
Since then, the 19-year-old has been making waves for the Scottish champions to emerge as one of the fastest rising talents in the country. He has already represented the senior side at Parkhead 63 times, and his numbers this season are highly impressive.
Tierney has played 30 times for Celtic this term, providing 12 assists while scoring once in all competitions. And his performances have resulted in some top clubs take note of his talent, who have sent scouts to have him watched on several occasions.
Arsenal have shown the most interest in Tierney, and the report states that the North London club are ready to make a move for the youngster this summer. Celtic are aware of Arsenal’s interest in their player as well and are bracing themselves to receive bids from the Gunners and other suitors.
Arsene Wenger currently has Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs as his recognised options at Emirates. Monreal is on the wrong side of 30 and has not quite been at his best this season, Gibbs has rarely managed to make a mark during his senior Arsenal career.
Thus, left-back could be a priority position for summer reinforcements, making Tierney a viable long-term option for the Arsenal boss to consider. The defender’s current deal with Celtic run till 2021, and he could be priced upwards of £10 million.
And while Tierney could move to Emirates in the summer, an Arsenal youngster could be headed the opposite way. That is because Celtic are interested in bringing Arsenal teenager Chris Willock north of the border to Glasgow in the summer.
The 19-year-old has risen through the ranks at Arsenal, before making his senior debut for the North London club earlier this season in a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The England under-19 international has bagful of potential, making a mark with his pacy outlet and technical abilities.
Arsene Wenger is known to rate the forward very highly, and he is being touted for big things by many inside the club. However, Celtic are planning to lure Willock to Parkhead in the summer by offering him the prospect of playing regular first-team football.
Brendan Rodgers is believed to be an admirer of Willock’s talents, and is keen to add the player to his squad. He is also looking for a replacement for Patrick Roberts, who will head back to Manchester City following the culmination of his long-term loan at the end of the season.
The 20-year-old Englishman has been a resounding success for Celtic this season, scoring 5 goals while providing 11 assists in 35 matches in all competitions, thus making Rodgers look frantically for his replacement.
That makes Willock, who is one of the most highly rated youngsters to have emerged out of the Arsenal academy in recent years, a viable option for the Celtic boss to consider. With Tierney being heavily linked with a summer move to Emirates, Willock could well be headed the opposite way come June.
