Arsenal have been urged by Allan Preston to match Celtic’s £25 million valuation of Kieran Tierney to land his client this summer.
In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound podcast, as quoted by The Sun, Allan Preston has spurred Arsenal to meet Celtic’s £25 million valuation of his client Kieran Tierney. The Scottish left-back is a priority defensive target for the Gunners in this summer’s transfer window.
Kieran Tierney has become a superstar in his own right since breaking into the Celtic first-team setup as a 17-year-old. Four years later, and still just 22, he is a full-fledged Scottish international, has already amassed over 150 appearances for the Bhoys and is a serial winner in domestic football.
In 170 first-team appearances till date, Tierney has a handy return of 8 goals and 37 assists, which underlines his efficacy in the final third. And, his exploits have made him a hot property in the transfer market for a few years now, with Arsenal reportedly closing in on securing his services this summer.
Arsenal do have two left-backs in Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac. But, a closer inspection would reveal why it is imperative for the Gunners to sign a left-back this summer. While Monreal, who is set to stay put at Emirates after extending his deal, has largely been used as a centre-back, Kolasinac has struggled to maintain consistency.
As a result, Tierney is a viable target for Arsenal to pursue, seeing as he could potentially become a long-term solution in a problematic position. The Scottish defender’s ability to provide a pacy and creative outlet on the left flank could potentially make him an asset, considering the lack of a natural winger in the squad presently.
Arsenal though, have reportedly not come closer to Celtic’s £25 million valuation of the player just yet. But, his agent Allan Preston has now urged the North Londoners to shell out the required sum to secure his services this summer.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound (h/t The Sun), Preston said, “It is all down to Celtic. If they get a price that they believe is the correct value for Kieran Tierney he could possibly be on his way. No one has hit that price yet.”
“As the guys say he loves Celtic, he absolutely loves Celtic. Will there be a time for Kieran Tierney to go? I think that there will be, if it’s just now it will be up to the clubs involved. Arsenal, Napoli or whoever to then put the money on the table and make Celtic think about this.”
With Celtic signing a left-back in Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo, there could be the possibility of the Scottish champions being ready to part ways with Tierney. But, for Arsenal to land their priority defensive target, they need to fork out £25 million. And, with Napoli also interested, the Gunners cannot afford to slip up in his pursuit.
