sportbible
CELTIC find themselves well-placed to pull off an exciting transfer move by potentially bringing Kieran Tierney back to Parkhead.
On Wednesday night, it was announced that Arsenal will not be renewing the Scotland international’s contract past next summer.
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This news indicates that Tierney can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any non-English club starting next month.
Moreover, SunSport reports that Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers, who has been keen to reconnect with Tierney since his return, is poised to make an offer to bring him back to the place where he rose to prominence, securing four league titles in the process.
It is understood that the Parkhead club is contemplating a move to welcome the 27-year-old fan favorite home when the transfer window reopens next month.
However, securing Tierney’s return could be complicated by his substantial weekly salary, reportedly in the six-figure range.
Celtic may consider pursuing a loan for the last six months of his Emirates contract.
If that option proves unviable, they might opt for a pre-contract agreement that would allow him to slip back into the hoops at the beginning of the 2025/26 season.
Competition for his signature is expected from Premier League clubs and international teams, with Newcastle United having previously shown keen interest.
Nonetheless, reports suggest that Celtic are confidently in the driving seat to finalize any forthcoming deal.
Tierney has openly stated his wish to eventually return to Celtic, making this opportunity particularly appealing.
Manager Rodgers currently relies on two primary options for left-back, yet the futures of Greg Taylor and Alex Valle remain uncertain.
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Taylor, who joined the club from Kilmarnock as Tierney’s replacement for £2 million in 2019, is also facing a contract expiry this summer, with no signs of an extension forthcoming.
Valle is currently on loan with the club until season’s end, but there are rumors that his time could be shortened should Barcelona decide to recall him in January.
A return for Tierney would excite fans, who remember him as a former boyhood supporter.
SunSport revealed last June that Tierney was open to a return, although the transfer did not materialize.
He subsequently went on to spend a season on loan at Real Sociedad in La Liga.
Kieran Tierney’s life and times
Born on June 5, 1997, in Douglas, Isle of Man, he relocated to Scotland during his childhood.
He joined his childhood team Celtic at the age of seven and eventually made his way to the first team.
Making his debut with the Hoops at 17 in April 2015, he experienced a major breakthrough in the 2015/16 season.
Tierney quickly became a vital player for Celtic, receiving PFA Scotland and SFWA Young Player of the Year Awards in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
He won four consecutive Scottish Premiership titles from 2016 to 2019, in addition to two Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
In August 2019, he transferred to Arsenal for a then-record Scottish fee of £25 million.
During his first season with the Gunners, he lifted the FA Cup.
A knee injury in March 2022 hampered Tierney’s season, and he has since struggled to recapture his form.
Last season, he was loaned to Real Sociedad.
Tierney has earned 47 caps for Scotland and participated in Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
His career has been significantly affected by a series of injuries, including two hamstring issues that limited his appearances in Spain.
He returned to full fitness ahead of Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign and started the opening match against Germany, but a subsequent hamstring injury against Switzerland prematurely ended his participation in the tournament.
He made his first start for Arsenal in 19 months during last night’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory against Crystal Palace.
He was replaced by manager Mikel Arteta after 69 minutes as a safety precaution.
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