Kieran Tierney will leave Arsenal this summer after the club opted not to extend his contract, with Celtic plotting a sensational homecoming, according to a report.
The Gunners had the option to automatically extend the Scotland star’s deal for another 12 months, but the Athletic reports that they won’t be doing so, with the deadline for exercising the clause now passed, meaning Tierney can talk to interested clubs from January. They claim there are other English clubs interested, while a storybook return to Celtic would appeal to the player.
However, that would have to be a loan deal in January, which the Scottish Sun claims Brendan Rodgers is keen to try. While the left back will be available on a free this summer, his wages are likely to be well beyond Celtic’s means, meaning a switch to one of the Gunners’ Premier League rivals or a move abroad seems more likely as things stand. Tierney finally made his return to Mikel Arteta’s team for the first time in 19 months on Wednesday night.
He was in from the start as the hosts booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace. But Tierney had to be replaced after 65 minutes due to injury.
That could mean another spell on the sidelines, although in truth his chances of an extended run in Arteta’s XI were remote anyway. Now the 27-year-old departure has been confirmed, his focus will likely be on securing a new club for next season.