Arsenal have reportedly told Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko they are free to leave, as Edu Gaspar conducts his defensive clearout.
According to TBR, Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko are free to leave Arsenal in the summer, the defensive duo may not feature in Mikel Arteta’s plans. Edu Gaspar will conduct a thorough review and is expected to clear out unwanted players to make space for new ones, with Jakub Kiwior set to stay.
Arsenal to sell Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko
Not so long ago Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko were the competing options for the left-back slot at Arsenal. The latter took the former’s place in the main lineup, only for him to show inconsistent performances last season to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Heanding into the summer window, Arsenal have reportedly made the big decision to part ways with the defensive duo, as they are willing to consider offers. Tierney, who spent the season on loan at Real Sociedad may not make a permanent switch to the Spanish side, with the Gunners keen to sell him for £20 million.
Toerney does not fit with Arteta’s style, although the left-back role has been constantly changing under the Spaniard’s watch over the last two seasons. While Kiwior and Tomiyasu do not offer the ‘invertedness’ Tierney has failed in learning that style during his time under Arteta.
So far, there are no clubs showing active interest in the Scottish international, although that could change as Tierney is set to play a key role for Scotland at the Euros. Some excellent performacnes in Germany could bring a few clubs on Arsenal’s doorsteps, with the defender thoroughly expected to leave at the earliest.
Where can Zinchenko go?
Zinchenko remains one of the best inverted full-back profiles around, although he has failed to match the intensity that Arteta demands. Arsenal want €45 million to sell the Ukraine captain, and will listen to offers coming in the summer from top suitors.
Bayern Munich want him this summer, as new manager Vincent Kompany sees him fit his style, as Alphonso Davies’ future remains under a cloud of doubt. Either way, Zinchenko will likely have a bigger market compared to Tierney, and once the sales conclude, the Gunners will be expected to sign at least one left-sided defender, either of a versatile profile or an out-and-out left-back.
