Manchester United are set to raid Celtic for Arsenal target Kieran Tierney this summer, according to reports
According to the Mirror, Manchester United are “stepping up” their bid to sign Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney this summer after Mourinho has failed to be convinced of Luke Shaw’s long-term viability as a left-back.
Mourinho was heavily critical of the Manchester United man earlier this week and despite handing Shaw some game time during Tuesday night’s draw with Everton, the Portuguese tactician was still insistent that Shaw had a lot to learn before he proved himself.
The news that United are looking to step their interest in Tierney will no doubt come as a blow to Shaw, who will only have one year remaining on his contract at the end of the season and could look for a move should his situation fail to improve.
Tierney has been at Celtic since the age of 7 and made his first-team debut for the club back in 2015 at just 18 years of age. The 2015-16 season saw Tierney complete his ascension to the first team as he made over 30 appearances for Celtic and displaced experienced left-back Emilio Izaguirre as first choice.
His form last season saw several English clubs show an interest in him last summer but the left-back instead chose to sign a new contract with his boyhood club, in a deal that ties him down to the club until 2021.
This season, Tierney has continued his fine form and he has started 18 games in the league for Celtic, helping to a Scottish Premiership title on the way.
A well-rounded full-back who contributes to both the attack and defense, Tierney has been registering an average of 2 tackles, 1.7 interceptions per match in the Scottish Premiership, according to WhoScored.
Tierney has been linked with a host of clubs apart from Manchester United – who already showed interest in him back in January. Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the full-back as they look to revitalise their failing squad.
Nacho Monreal is already 31 years of age and will soon need a replacement, with Kieran Gibbs failing to displace the left-back as first choice. Gibbs will also have only one year left on his contract at the end of the season and there is a chance that the Englishman could depart the Emirates this summer.
The Mirror claim that Tierney is rated at £10 million, although they do state that any interested club will likely have to pay beyond that amount in order to secure the left-back. Celtic might just get what they want as the Scottish international could spark a bidding war between Manchester United and Arsenal this summer.
