Reports suggest Arsenal and West Ham United have reached an agreement for the transfer of Kieran Tierney, though the player has made his intentions clear this month.
Despite not being included in a list of the top 20 footballers who could become free agents this summer, Tierney’s long-term future remains uncertain.
The Scotland international has struggled with injuries in recent years, leading to a reduced role at Arsenal. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Tierney is expected to leave the club by the summer.
“Kieran Tierney will leave Arsenal next summer at the latest after the club decided against activating an option to extend his contract.
While Tierney’s deal expires in June, Arsenal retained the ability to prolong it by 12 months. That would have enabled them to utilise the left-back, 27, for longer or secure a fee if they elected to sell him at the end of this season.
But Arsenal needed to take up the opportunity by a set date, which has now passed, and Tierney has been made aware of the situation.
It means his career in north London is drawing to a close and the Scotland international can sign a pre-contract agreement with non-English sides from January 1. It is also possible a permanent transfer happens next month.
There is interest from England, an emotional attachment to former team Celtic, and he already has experience of playing abroad following a loan spell at Real Sociedad during the 2023-24 campaign.”
A report from journalist Graeme Bailey for Hammers News adds that Arsenal and West Ham had agreed on a transfer, but Tierney has reportedly expressed a strong desire to return to Celtic.
“West Ham agreed a deal in principle with the Gunners to sign left-back Kieran Tierney. So too had Brentford, Leicester and a number of foreign clubs.
Tierney has been linked with West Ham on several occasions in the last 18 months. But as soon as the Hammers got the opportunity to see if the Scottish left-back fancied the move, they were given an abrupt answer.”
It remains to be seen whether Tierney will make an emotional return to Celtic or explore other options as his time at Arsenal nears its end.
