It’s been a long old chase for Kieran Tierney by Arsenal. After a couple of bids were rejected, the Gunners have just a few days to finalise any possible transfer with deadline day looming.
Now Sky Sports say Arsenal will make one final push to sign Tierney, 22.
The Sky Sports report reads: ‘Sky Sports News understands the north London club are increasingly confident an agreement can be reached for Tierney before the transfer deadline closes on August 8.’
Tierney will cost the club £25million, but it is the structure of payments that have caused problems to date. Celtic want more of that fee paid up front, but the Gunners are reluctant considering their limited transfer budget.
And now The Sun are reporting Celtic are closing in on a £7million deal for Brentford left-back Rico Henry, a player who looks set to replace Tierney.
That is probably the greatest clue yet that the Scottish club are close to agreeing a deal with Arsenal, who seem to have been confident of this signing all summer.
Tierney will not line up in an Arsenal shirt for some time, though, as he is currently injured, and that could explain the hold up in this deal. It remains to be seen whether or not he would pass a medical.
Aged 22 Tierney is a long term investment and with Bellerin (24) on the right, Arsenal could have a pair of quick and talented full backs for the next 5-10 years.
He may only be 22, but Tierney has a vast amount of experience, including over 100 senior games for Celtic, 12 caps for Scotland and experience in the Champions League and Europa League.
Tierney, like Saliba, Ceballos and Pepe are younger signings, with the club looking to invest in the future and combat what was a squad with a high average age.