Celtic have tied Kieran Tierney down to a new five-year contract this week, shunning any interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. The left-back enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season in the Scottish Premier League, earning a place in the division’s Team of the Year, and was linked with a potential move to the Premier League.
Arsenal were believed to be keen on bringing him to the Emirates this summer, with Kieran Gibbs heavily linked with the exit door, having lost his place in the first team to Nacho Monreal of late.
The Spaniard has stamped his authority on the role, and Gibbs has since been linked with move to Liverpool most recently.
Tierney was believed to be on the radar to replace the Arsenal youth product, but he has now confirmed that he had no interest in quitting his current club, and signed a new deal.
He said: “They are huge clubs and it’s the Premier League so of course you take a bit of pride in that.
“But I never thought about leaving at all. You think about the interest but it never crossed my mind to leave.
“I’m delighted to be here and sign that new contract. The negotiations didn’t take too long at all.”
Arsenal could now turn their attentions to Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, but are more recently linked with young Brazilian alternative Douglas Santos. The 22 year-old is another player also linked with the Anfield crown, but we are believed to have made contact about his potential capture already.
We are also speculated to be keen on Granit Xhaka’s international team-mate Ricardo Rodriguez, but he has a €25 Million release clause which is more than the club appear willing to pay at present.
Is €25 Million too much for a player who could well find himself on the bench behind Monreal next term? Is the Brazilian a risk?
Pat J