According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have put talks over Kieran Tierney’s future on hold until the summer due to their Premier League title push amid growing reports that the Scottish international is ready to depart north London.
Tierney has been a huge hit with Arsenal supporters since joining from Celtic in August 2019.
Over the first three years of his tenure at the Emirates, his influence on the team gradually increased.
He impressed manager Mikel Arteta with his stout defending, deadly crossing, and leadership quality.
Tierney’s position in Arsenal’s starting lineup, however, has fallen under significant threat this season.
Arteta’s favourite left-back currently is Oleksandr Zinchenko, leaving Tierney to settle for a bench role.
And the Scot can’t complain too much because Zinchenko has been outstanding during Arsenal’s title run.
Recent reports have linked Tierney with a move away from the Emirates, with several Premier League clubs believed to be interested in his signature.
However, Mikel Arteta has reportedly refused to discuss an exit plan for the left-back until the end of the season, with Newcastle United among the clubs linked with a transfer swoop.
Discussing the latest on Tierney’s future, Romano said in his exclusive CaughtOffside column: “Kieran Tierney has a genuine chance to leave Arsenal in the summer.
“This is a possibility but Arsenal don’t want to negotiate now.
“They decided internally that there must be full focus on winning the Premier League; the big dream!
“So there is no intention to distract the players including those who are not regular starters.
“In the summer, Arsenal will discuss Tierney’s situation at the end of the season but the defender definitely has the opportunity to experience something new.”
Manchester City and Arsenal are in a heated Premier League title race, so it’s understandable that the north London club are not keen to be thinking about transfers at the moment, as they want everyone focused on what’s going on the pitch, and everyone pulling in the same direction.
With a contract that expires in 2026, Arsenal are in a strong position to demand a premium transfer fee for the defender come summer.
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